Vet Tix has reached a major milestone, distributing 40 million free event tickets to veterans, active-duty military members, former and current first responders, and their families across all 50 states.

The organization began in a Phoenix garage in 2008 as a grassroots effort and has since grown into what it says is the nation’s largest Veteran Service Organization, serving more than 2.8 million members. Vet Tix announced the milestone in a press release on Tuesday.

“It's not just 40 million tickets. It's 40 million opportunities to create memories, strengthen family bonds and give something back to those who have served our country and communities,” Michael A. Focareto III, a U.S. Navy veteran and the CEO and founder of Vet Tix, said in the press release.

“We’re grateful to the thousands of donors, including sports teams, venues, artists, ticketing organizations and individuals, who make these experiences possible. Every ticket helps us move closer to our goal of reaching veterans, service members and first responders in every community across the country. We also work to create opportunities for the family members and friends who support them by securing ticket donations that appeal to a wide range of interests,” he added.

Vet Tix said the Arizona Diamondbacks were its first major donor in 2008. The organization said about 40% of its tickets are sports-related.

Through Vet Tix and 1st Tix, recipients can access sporting events, concerts, family attractions, comedy performances and performing arts events. A study by IMPCT Group found that attending live events has significant benefits for the wellness and social engagement of veterans, first responders and their families, offering a practical example of how donated tickets can extend beyond entertainment.

The study found that 90% of respondents said attending events positively affected their well-being, while 86% said it strengthened family bonds.

Vet Tix said the tickets it has distributed have a combined face value of more than $2.6 billion. Additional event-related spending has generated an estimated $3.75 billion in economic activity, bringing the total estimated economic impact to more than $6.5 billion.

On average, Vet Tix distributes 25,000 to 30,000 tickets per day, underscoring the scale of a program that relies on steady donations from venues and ticket holders.

“The act of service to our country and communities is something most Americans will never have to experience,” Focareto said. “In addition to enduring the impacts of military deployments or long shifts while on duty, many veterans, service members and first responders endure invisible emotional challenges. These events are much more than a way to pass the time. They create space for moments of joy that are an important part of recovery, rehabilitation, reintegration and reconnection.”