Feb.27, 2009 (PHOENIX, Ariz.) – 365 days can seem like forever in many cases, but to Michael Focareto and the rest of the team at Veteran Tickets Foundation(VTF), 365 have gone by so quickly they can only look to the future as they find new ways to thank Veterans and current military members for their service.

The Foundations mission is simple: Give something to those who gave. And that mission stands behind everything VTF has done since Focareto came up with the idea at last year’s Super Bowl game in Arizona. “The seat next to me went empty the entire game, and I thought wouldn’t it be nice if someone would have donated that ticket to a Veteran so he or she could enjoy the game,” said Focareto, Veteran Tickets Foundation CEO. The very next day he began forming a team to assist him in accomplishing his goal.

In the past six months alone, VTF has collected and distributed over 4200 tickets at a value of over $550,000 to sporting events, concerts and exhibitions including the Insight Bowl, D-Backs games, Coyotes games, Smucker’s Stars on Ice. “We believe the events that bring Americans together in the spirit of celebration, competition and camaraderie—those all-American moments are the times we need welcome and acknowledge our Veterans, added Focareto.”

Over the course of one year, VTF has been honored on the field by the Arizona D-Backs, been a part of the first pitch during a game, been featured on local news affiliate 3TV as well as local radio and a had a full feature in Post Magazine. 

As VTF looks to the future, the non-profit has already been selected as one of the charities benefiting from the Beauty of a Bonzer concert held at US Airways Arena, and will be hosting Military Appreciation Day at Chase Field on Memorial Day when the Diamondbacks take on the Padres.

Veteran Tickets Foundation is a national non-profit, non-governmental 501c(3) tax-exempt organization. All contributions made to the organization are deductible under section 170 of the IRS Code. But most importantly, they are a dedicated group of successful business people who are also Veterans. “We know what it means to serve,” said Focareto. “And now it’s our privilege to serve Veterans and to provide an opportunity for the rest of America to express its thanks and gratitude.”

To learn more about the Veteran Tickets Foundation, please visit www.VetTix.org. For media inquiry, please contact Heather Gray, VP Public Relations at hgray@VetTix.org or 602-703-4729.