Go to main contentsGo to search barGo to main menu
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Ad

Blue Skies Veteran’s Benefit

Blue Skies Veteran’s Benefit
Commissioners donated $2500 to the Veterans Independence Foundation in support of the foundation's Blue Skies Veterans Benefit event on September 24 at the 3C Event Complex. This family-friendly event will feature music by Night Ranger, comedian performances, vendors, food, and kids activities.

Author: Anne McMillin, Churchill County PIO

With just over a month left to prepare, local volunteers are busy with the details of hosting the Blue Skies Veterans Benefit, a music and comedy family event headlining the 80s band Night Ranger, local bands and musicians, comedians, and kids’ activities. The event is scheduled for September 24 and will be held at the Rafter 3C Event Complex in the outdoor arena.

The benefit is being sponsored by the Veterans Independence Foundation, which was started with one purpose in mind – to help veterans in need. Founder Neil Blitstein served eight tours in Iraq and returned home to his wife injured and beaten down. He did not have a disability rating, so services were not available to him. When the washer and dryer quit the same month as the hot water heater, the Blitsteins found themselves in financial trouble. Luckily, they had family who could help out, but the experience made them realize not everyone was in their situation. “We realized a lot of veterans don’t have that,” said Neil, “and that’s where we come in. We don’t want a vet to get stuck because of these kinds of things.”

Victoria Crystal, a VIF board member, has put together an entire day of activities that will kick off at 11 a.m. on September 24 on the Patriot Stage, near the Barrel House or the old Multi-Purpose Building at the fairgrounds. There will be plenty of family entertainment throughout the day with a kid zone, vendors, and food trucks. Local DJ Brandon Hooten will be entertaining as well as Steve Christie who will be hosting the Fallon’s Got Talent event. At 5 p.m. activities move to the Hero Stage in the outdoor arena where the GI’s of comedy will entertain before Night Ranger plays beginning at 8 p.m.

The foundation and its local ambassadors on the ground in communities across the country are authorized to spend up to $600 without going back to the board for approval. They do not give money directly to veterans, but if someone needs groceries or tires for the vehicle they use to get back and forth to work, the foundation pays the vendor directly on behalf of the veteran.

Blitstein and Crystal made a presentation recently to the Churchill County Commissioners who contributed $2,500 to the foundation that will go toward the costs of the Kids Zone. “All the money raised at this event in Fallon will stay here in this community to assist your vets,” said Blitstein. He said there are currently 3,100 veterans who live in Churchill County.

Veterans Independence Foundation will partner with local veterans’ service organizations to help local veterans get back on their feet. Although most organizations require some sort of disability rating to qualify for services, they do not. “All you need is an honorable discharge and demonstrate a need for assistance,” said Blitstein.

In addition to the main attraction of the Night Ranger concert, events, and activities to benefit veterans include a Car Show & Shine on September 11 at Les Schwab, a local talent contest that is currently running every other Wednesday night at the Alley Bar with the top three finalists competing at 2 p.m. on the 24th, a t-shirt design contest, comedians, and all the while KOZZ radio from Reno will be onsite doing a live broadcast.

Tickets are available online at https://heretohelpvets.org/blueskiesfallontickets/

 

 

 


Share
Rate

Comment

Comments

July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 1
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 2
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 3
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 4
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 5
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 6
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 7
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 8
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 9
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 10
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 11
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 12
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 13
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 14
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 15
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 16
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 1Page no. 1
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 2Page no. 2
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 3Page no. 3
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 4Page no. 4
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 5Page no. 5
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 6Page no. 6
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 7Page no. 7
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 8Page no. 8
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 9Page no. 9
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 10Page no. 10
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 11Page no. 11
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 12Page no. 12
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 13Page no. 13
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 14Page no. 14
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 15Page no. 15
July 4, 2025 -Fallon Gears Up for a “Bee-autiful”  - page 16Page no. 16
COMMENTS
Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
SUPPORT OUR WORK