Kathy Shayna Shocket has the stories on people who make a difference.

Kathy reports how empty seats become tickets for vets.

The Veterans Tickets Foundation just granted its 1.5 millionth ticket at a Diamondbacks game! The non-profit, founded by U.S. Navy veteran Mike Focareto, arranges for free event tickets to active military personnel, veterans, and family members of those killed in action.

The vets have enjoyed tickets to sporting, concert, performing arts and family events. Board members include those such as Roger Grad of Snell and Wilmer and Travis Leach of  Ballard Spahr. And advisory board includes those like Jim Lehrer of PBS, actors Brad Garrett and DB Sweeney. 

Mike Focareto came up with the idea when he was looking around the stadium at a football game and noticed many empty seats. He figured those seats could be filled with veterans who may be missing out on the action, and so Vet Tix was born.

 Focareto notes that veterans can face a tough time transitioning from active duty to civilian life, but being able to attend sporting events and other kinds of local activities helps ease the burden of a difficult transition and helps boost morale for the service member and their family.

The organization works to fill empty seats at events with many college and professional sport teams within the NHL, NFL, NBA, WNBA and MLB, in addition to NASCAR, concert and entertainment promoters.  Also, season ticket holders can give back to our veterans by donating their tickets for games they can’t attend.

Congratulations on a home run for all!

 Kathy Shayna Shocket is a freelance Writer and TV-Field Producer based in Phoenix, AZ. She’s a former TV Reporter who’s also written for national publications such as TIME Magazine, MONEY Magazine, PEOPLE Magazine, the Hollywood Reporter and The NEW YORK TIMES. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it