Veterans org speaker at Chandler-area meeting Oct. 18

All veterans are invited to learn how to get free tickets to sporting and entertainment events and help support a veteran’s program by attending an Oct. 18 event in the Sun Lakes area, near Chandler.

Steve Weintraub, Chief Strategy Officer at Veteran Tickets Foundation, also known as Vet Tix, will address Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 at a regular meeting. That’s set for 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, in the Oakwood Country Club Ballroom, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes.

A meet-and-greet with free lox and bagels, coffee and doughnuts starts at 9:30 a.m.

Weintraub served for 32 years in the U.S. Marines and has been a driving force behind Vet Tix’s growth, helping the organization distribute tens of millions of free or heavily discounted tickets to concerts, sporting events, and theater performances nationwide, according to a news release.

Based in Tempe, Weintraub has led the effort to grow Vet Tix, with its 1.9 million verified members, into a large, non-federal-funded veterans service organization.

One of Weintraub’s messages is that wounds of war — mental and physical — can stay with veterans the rest of their lives.

“Our military personnel carry unique burdens of stress and sacrifice,” Weintraub stated in the news release.

To honor and support those who served and sacrificed so much, Vet Tix teams up with major sports teams, leagues, promoters, organizations, venues and event ticket holders.

The purpose is to provide free tickets to all branches of active-duty U.S. military and veterans, plus the immediate family of servicemembers killed in the line of duty.

The Vet Tix program provides veterans with positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to their country, it states.

Weintraub will explain the foundation’s new Hero’s Wish program, which grants specific wishes to eligible veterans to relieve their burden of stress.

Donors fulfill requests either through ticket donations or by donating money to make the hero’s wish come true. Weintraub will explain the requirements for application.

For more information about the JWV organization and membership opportunities, visit the Jewish War Vets Post 619 Facebook page or contact Arthur Uram at 702-884-4175 or uramarthur@gmail.com.

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