VetsFest 2025

Livestream Concert & Auction supporting the Veteran Programs of Transition Skills Training

November 8 | 6-10 PM

Watch Texas music legend Monte Montgomery perform live while supporting veteran small business training. We will share some military transition success stories, provide a behind-the-scenes looks at our training programs, and you will have exclusive access to unique and exciting auction items - including the 1-of-1 vinyl recordings from Monte's live show.

Tickets are free. Sign up to join us in person or make a donation. You will need to register to bid in the auction and anyone can watch the stream on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or right here. We have some sponsor freebies for you, so get on the list. :)

Two incredible raffle prizes. Raffle Tix $25 - Limited tickets available.

🌺 HAWAII LUXURY RESORT WEEK

Find where serenity meets the sea with 7 nights in paradise for 2 adults (plus up to 2 children under 12). Choose your experience at top-rated Hilton or Wyndham resorts on Oahu or the Big Island. Take the chance to visit Pearl Harbor. Enjoy the beach and relax in an elegant 1-bedroom suite with beach access, on-site tennis and golf, spas, and premium guest services to help plan your perfect Hawaiian escape. Whether it's a romantic getaway or family adventure, paradise awaits. Win it for yourself or gift it before booking. Please Note - Must travel by May 25, 2026. Retail value: $3,000+
- View complete trip details and photos

⌚ ARENA LUXURY TIMEPIECE

Designed by a veteran and TST program grad who needed a watch that wouldn't fall apart between diving, mountain climbing, and combat - and still look good wearing a suit. When he couldn't find it, he built it. Arena Timepieces. Enter this raffle to own a watch from the first 300 ever made, which includes interchangeable bands to accommodate changing terrain and a custom case for storage and security. Retail value: $1500+
- Learn more on the ARENA Instagram Acct

RAFFLE TICKETS: $25 each

1 ticket: $25
Six Ticket Bundle - 3 entries for each prize for $100

Limited tickets available!

Drawings held at the end of VetsFest on November 8th. Do not need to be present to win.

Every ticket supports veteran transition programs that change lives.

ABOUT TRANSITION SKILLS TRAINING

Every day in America, about 1,400 people retire from military service and begin civilian life. At Transition Skills Training, we provide job skills, entrepreneurial training, and critical support to help these families adjust. It's not easy to shift from military to civilian life - but we're working to make it easier and more fulfilling for as many as we can.

WE WANT TO TRAIN 5,000 VETS IN 2026
To reach this goal, we need to increase our operating budget by $40,000. Your donation makes a tremendous difference.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
Bottom line - 20+ veterans commit suicide every day in America. And here's a little-known fact: PTSD isn't the big issue. It matters, but the real challenge reported by 89% of veterans is a phenomenon called Transition Stress. It's the hidden crisis that grows behind underemployment, financial struggle, relationship issues, isolation, addiction, and depression. There's so much training when someone joins the military, but almost nothing when they leave. We're filling that gap. Turns out, starting a business is a good bet. A bet on yourself. This event will raise money to help us train more people in our Veteran Entrepreneur Program.

THREE PILLARS OF SUCCESS

All of our programs are free and focus on three pillars for a successful veteran transition: purpose, connections, and a place to call home.

We help military families forge a new path forward - employment, education, or entrepreneurship. We connect them with peers who share their same interests - like music, cars, or sports. And we give them tools to build their next chapter on their own terms.

We're probably best known for entrepreneurial training, but all our programs center on those three pillars - and the whole family participates at no cost.

THE IMPACT

Watch the livestream, visit our website, and follow our social media. We tell success stories from the military community. There's not one right path for everyone - but our programs make it possible for people to build fulfilling lives using the skills and experience gained in uniform.

Any contribution, no matter the size, creates impact. Together, we can create a brighter future for veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much.

Julie and CJ niehoff

With heartfelt gratitude,
Julie & CJ Niehoff, TST Co-Founders

Along with heartfelt thanks for our amazing team - Thank you to Calen, Ellie, Grace and Melinda for your daily support of these programs and to our training team, you help so many people! Especially to Vicky, Maria, Joanna, Chassidy, Kate and Sloan.

None of us do this alone. Thank you to our partners, supporters, friends and family!!!

Presented by Transition Skills Training, the event is supported by our amazing partners: Purple Bee Studios, Texas Veterans Commission, Carry The Load, UberEats, Arena Timepieces, YTexas, Distance Learning Media, VetBizSkills & Skills After Service.

We also want to thank Justin Dennis at DSC Consulting and Michael Helffrich with LuxGive for helping us make the auction a special one.

Visit VetsFest.org for more details!

VetsFest 2025

Funding Free Training & Support for Veterans & Their Families