The Fern 45 is a non-profit organization that holds an annual off-road poker run to raise money for the Nevada Veteran's Coalition and other Veterans programs. Video provided by Photoflight Productions, LLC - Official Media of The Fern 45 CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE 11th Annual NOVEMBER 6-8 Reno Fernley Raceway Park 1965 S Hwy, Fernley, NV 89408 DAY OF EVENT PURCHASING AVAILABLE CHECK EVENT SCHEDULE FOR PRICING & REGISTRATION HOURS ALL the Info 2025 EVENT SCHEDULE 2025 Event Information SEE FULL EVENT SCHEDULE Text FERN45 to 1 (866) 593-4571 to get text updates on everything going on this weekend! Thursday 11/6 GATES OPEN AT NOON 12:00 Vendors Open 4:00 Live Music by Sergio Gutierrez 5:00 Texas Hold Em Check in 6:00 Texas Hold Em Begins See Detailed Schedule Friday 11/7 9:00-4:00 Registration 12:00 Vendors Open 4:00p Cornhole Check-In 5:00p Cornhole Begins 6:30p Vendor Winner Announced 7:00p-ish : LIVE MUSIC by Repeat Offenders See Detailed Schedule Saturday 11/8 6:30-8:00 Registration 8:00 Opening Ceremonies/Mandatory Riders Meeting 11:00 Gates to Course Closed 4:45 POKER WINNER & DOOR PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE DOT 5:00 GUN RAFFLE WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE DOT LIVE MUSIC AFTER BY MADEIRO DRIVE See Detailed Schedule HOW IT WORKS - Saturday 11/8 Please take off in a respectful manner and be aware of your surroundings. THIS IS A SINGLE LOOP COURSE THIS YEAR If you cannot finish the loop, we will see you at the venue and you can pull your remaining chips at the cardstops there. Follow the Red/White/Blue trail markers and NEON mile markers to the card stops .There will be 4 stops on the course Please do not “dilly-dally” pulling your number out. You may park on the side of the card stops if you wish to visit, relax or use the restroom before continuing the course, don’t be “that guy” who parks in the middle of the road backing up traffic DO NOT GET YOUR CARD PUNCHED MORE THAN 4 TIMES ON THE COURSE! ONCE YOU HAVE HIT ALL 4 STOPS, RETURN TO THE VENUE CARDSTOPS CLOSE DOWN AT 3:00 - Poker Winner will be announced at 4:45p on the dot! The 5th/6th card stop is in the venue • If you were unable to finish the loop... you may draw your chip(s) at the 5th or 6th card stop While you are out on the course, the numbers 1-52 will each be randomly assigned a playing card (#1 could the 3 of Clubs, #2 could be queen of hearts, etc.) The stage will have a board with the playing card key on it. Use a pen to write down your cards in the blank space provided on your poker card and see Kelly or a crew member helping at the stage to see if you are one of the top poker hands! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. CAMPING GATES OPEN NOON 11/6 If you paid online, you will receive your camping pass at the gate - please place it on the door of your trailer, tent, etc. If you are sleeping in your vehicle, put it on the rearview! You may purchase a camping pass anytime registration is open. If our crew does not see a camping pass at the end of the day, you will be required to purchase one at registration. Be sure to keep an ear out by the venue to hear everything that is going on and any updates! Text FERN45 to 1 (866) 593-4571 to get text updates on everything going on this weekend! RULES DO NOT RIDE ON THE COURSE UNTIL SATURDAY! If you see red white and blue ribbon and bright yellow mile markers you're on the course. DO NOT LOSE YOUR WRISTBAND **No more than 3 trailers to create a "U" - NO TRAILERS IN A "SQUARE" unless you purchased the Elite package . Only one full-sized vehicle per campsite - additional parking is available north and east of the circle track NO FIREWORKS! Fires must be in pits - “rock circles” are not permitted, smudge pots are okay 5MPH in camping area- please be courteous of others and watch out for the kiddos NO "PIT" RIDING - Find somewhere in the desert to ride! PICK UP YOUR TRASH DOGS MUST BE LEASHED! FAQ As you can imagine, we get a lot of questions! Check out the FAQ page and your questions just might already be answered! GO TO FAQ PAGE The Donate to Heartbeats initiative provides vital support to local veterans through critical home repairs, safety enhancements, and health-related improvements that ensure a safe and livable environment. We also offer financial assistance for essential living expenses, helping veterans maintain stability and dignity as they navigate life after service. Our Donate to Heartbearts Grant WILL REOPEN NOV 9! If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who could use some help - please click the link below or share it! We will reach out asap to gather information needed asap Please allow 2-4 weeks for approval (Emergency situations may be approved sooner) Grant Coordinator - Connie 1-530-908-3052 grants@thefern45.com GRANT WILL REOPEN NOV 9 The sole purpose of our non-profit organization is to raise money each year for the Nevada Veteran's Coalition and other veteran's programs. We provide an opportunity for our community to celebrate their loved veterans, past and present, while also getting to experience our beautiful Nevada backyard. RAISING MONEY FOR OUR VETERANS SINCE 2015 LEARN MORE Veteran Honor Wall We owe a debt of gratitude to all of our Veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country. We are blessed to have so many brave men and women - from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines - who have selflessly served in the military. Even if they are no longer actively serving, we are still thankful for all they have done. We are blessed to live in a country where these brave men and women have fought so that we can live in peace and freedom. We will be showing this Veteran Honor Wall at our event on a TV. Come take a look, sit back and see the men and woman that are the reason we do what we do. Without them, none of this would be possible. PHOTOS SUBMITTED WILL BE ON WEBSITE AFTER EVENT View Veteran Honor Wall To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Kiley Woosley Birthdate: FEB. 1990 NAVY Picture taken on the deck of The CVN 76 Ronald Reagan 9/09/11 after second deployment to Persian Gulf coming into port in Coronado Previous Next

We are always looking for more help to run this event and keep it goin' smoothly. Learn more about what volunteering entails here. Volunteer Sign-Up Please fill out the form below! As events get closer we will reach out with details For the Poker Run in November, you will receive a food wristband each day you volunteer at the food truck of your choice. You will also receive a t-shirt the day of the event ! VOLUNTEER POSITIONS FULL - PLEASE APPLY NEXT YEAR! Volunteer Form "Put me in coach!" Crew This is for anyone who wants to help with anything! We will let you know what you will be doing closer to the event. Volunteer Form Cardstop Crew Most of the time, the businesses that sponsor the cardstop's will be providing their own volunteers, but sometimes they do not, which is where you come in! Each cardstop will need to be set up Saturday morning no later than 8:00am! You will be out there until 2:30p and will be brought lunch. Please provide your own EZ up, tables and chairs. If you do not have any - please let us know and we will find some for you. Volunteer Form Raffle Crew Please get in touch with us to join this crew! Please fill out the volunteer form as well so we can get your t-shirt size! Volunteer Form Grounds Crew This is our biggest crew and we will need people to help check-in our campers on Friday morning/afternoon and give directions to our participants. They will need to be directed on where they can park their trailers and where the extra parking is. Bonus points for you if you have a ATV/UTV you can use to help direct people. Please contact Shane Mull for any further questions or to join this crew - 775-980-7284 Volunteer Form Registration Crew We need all the help we can get on Saturday morning with registration. You will either be checking our participants in or helping run shirts for our VIPs. We will have a registration meeting prior to the event to go over how to do this and establish times you will be needed. Registration is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday so we will need people each day helping with that. Contact Kelsey at 775-980-5714 for any questions regarding this Volunteer Form Vendor Crew You will be in charge of directing vendors on where to go and checking them in. Blanca will be your Vendor boss and will give you more instructions on what to do : vendors@thefern45.com Volunteer Form Cornhole Pit Crew Our cornhole tourney is on Friday night, we will need pit bosses to record winners and relay to our Cornhole guru. Volunteer Form Wristband Checkers Every person in the vehicle will need a wristband and every vehicle will need a course entry sticker to enter the course. We will need people to sit at the entrance to check bands prior to entering the course. This will be on Saturday and we will assign times for each volunteer so you are not sitting there all day, we will bring you lunch! Course opens at 9:30a and closes at 2:30p. Volunteer Form Merchandise Crew This crew needs to be willing to work in a fast paced environment so lines move quickly and run merch. Merch will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You will be assigned a time to be at merchandise to help. Kayleigh is in charge of merchandise and will let you know what to do. 775-636-0233 Volunteer Form Set-Up Crew Our set-up crew will be helping to set up the venue spaces and signage (parking, registration, stage, camping, crew site, etc.) on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday before the event. Contact Kelsey 775-980-5714 for questions Volunteer Form

John Helton Previous Next

Randy Mansell Randy was born March 11, 1958 Joined The Marine Corps in 1975. He retired in 1998 as a CWO2. Previous Next

Our Grant WILL REOPEN NOVEMBER 9 The Donate to Heartbeats initiative provides vital support to local veterans through critical home repairs, safety enhancements, and health-related improvements that ensure a safe and livable environment. We also offer financial assistance for essential living expenses, helping veterans maintain stability and dignity as they navigate life after service If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who could use some help - please click the link below or share it! We will reach out asap to gather information needed asap Please allow 2-4 weeks for approval (Emergency situations may be approved sooner) Grant Coordinator - Connie 1-530-908-3052 grants@thefern45.com What is needed? Please email grants@thefern45.com the following documents to your application (even if you have requested assistance before) - 2 Months Recent Bank Statements - Proof of military service (e.g., DD214, Veteran ID, VA Benefit Summary Letter) - Mortgage/Rent Statement (if requesting assistance with these ) * Please note, If we do not receive proof of veteran status or requested documentation, your application will be automatically denied. Failure to submit the required documents will result in the automatic denial of your grant application. Don't have your DD214? Log in to your VA.gov profile and locate it in your profile. If you do not have a profile or do not know how to access it, please call 702-791-9000 and they will walk you through the process of obtaining your DD214 online. APPLY HERE Grant will reopen November 9

Brad Maynard Second generation Army. Previous Next

Charles Walsh Army Previous Next

Ready to sponsor the best off road poker run in the USA? The Fern 45 is here to support our Veterans and celebrate their lives. Learn more about sponsorships here. SPONSOR THE 2025 FERN 45 POKER RUN Thank you so much for taking interest in sponsoring this event and our veterans! ALL SPONSORS MUST FILL OUT THE FORM SPONSORSHIPS CLOSE SEPT 1 - ANY SPONSORSHIPS RECEIVED AFTER SEPT 1 WILL NOT RECEIVE ALL SPONSORS BENEFITS If you have any questions please reach out to Shari Walsh at 775-848-8896 shariwalsh@thefern45.com THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Download Proposal PDF Fill out Sponsorship Form (Inside is all the costs and benefits!)

We are almost to $100,000 donated to the Veterans. Lets get there this year!! MISSION STATEMENT The sole purpose of our non-profit organization is to raise money each year for the Nevada Veteran's Coalition and other veteran's programs. We provide an opportunity for our community to celebrate their loved veterans, past and present, while also getting to experience our beautiful Nevada backyard. View Annual Donations View Year-Round Donations View Donate to Heartbeats Donations The Fern 45 Poker Run Annual Donations from our Poker Run 2023 $75,000 $15,050 – Northern Nevada State Veterans Home $10,050 – Veterans Guest House $10,000 – Nevada Veterans Coalition $15,000 - Honor Flight Nevada - $25,000 – Donate to Heartbeats #itsaveteransthing On behalf of our veterans and the entire Fern 45 Crew, we are proud to announce that you guys have helped us raise $75,100!! We would like extend our heartfelt gratitude for the generous support of all of our sponsors and participants! Your dedication to improving the lives of those who have served our nation is truly awe-inspiring! If you are a veteran yourself and need support or if you know a Veteran who needs support, please contact us and we will do everything we can to get you the support you need! Your commitment to making a difference in the lives of our veterans is both admirable and impactful, we hope you realize this. Your contribution will DIRECTLY enhance the quality of life for those who have selflessly served our country. Once again, thank you for standing with us in support of our veterans. Your generosity is making a lasting and positive difference in the veteran community and we would not be able to do what we do, without you guys! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! 2022 $35,050 Nevada Veterans Coalition, Northern Nevada Veterans State Home & Veterans Guest House Wow. There are no words for how grateful we are to those who donated. We blew last year out of the water and our hearts could not be any bigger! We were able to donate to three different Veteran organizations. $5,050 went to the Veterans Guest House. $15,000 went to the Northern Nevada Veterans State Home and $15,000 went to the Nevada Veterans Coalition! Thank you to everyone who helped out and made this year the best ever! We have BIG plans for next year and are beginning the preparations already. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! 2021 $21,000 Nevada Veterans Coalition This year was, by far, our biggest year yet! We introduced new vendor booth options and that was a success (with new changes to 2022 coming!) We have plans to donate to more Veterans organizations throughout the year. We have already began meetings and changes for 2022 and look forward to making this event run smoothly and successfully! 2020 $5,000 Nevada Veterans Coalition Unfortunately we all know what happened with this years event. However, we did sell some sweatshirts and fundraise enough to donate $5,000 to the NVC. We are excited for what 2021 brings! 2019 $15,500 Nevada Veterans Coalition We hope our appreciation for all who have donated their time and efforts does not go unnoticed. We are planning to be able to raise enough money next year to help Veteran's in need year-round. All of our donation this year will go to the NVC so they can continue to support our Nevada Veterans. 2018 $20,000 Nevada Veterans Coalition & TMCC Veterans Upward Bound We want to thank ALL of our donation and sponsors this year. The efforts of all of our donations/sponsors is what makes this possible. The Veterans Upward Bound Program is a free educational program for qualified, honorably discharged veterans who need support in preparing for success in their post-secondary education and training. 2017 $10,000 Nevada Veterans Coalition WOW. We are incredibly grateful to be able to raise more and more money for our Veterans who have given their time and lives in order for us to be able to do this. Our donation is given to the NVC so they can continue to support the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery and other Veteran's programs throughout the year. 2016 $7,500 Nevada Veterans Coalition Our event has grown! We have now started something we cannot stop! We are officially going to make this an Annual event! The monies donated to Nevada Veteran's Coalition will be used to ensure there is a wreath placed on each grave-site at the Northern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. 2015 $1,200 and a New Laptop Nevada Veterans Coalition We were expecting 40 close friends and family to participate in raising money for the Veteran's...and just by word of mouth, around 100 people showed up to support and ride trails in our Nevada Backyard. We were pleasantly surprised to see how many people were willing to donate their time and money to help support our Veterans. Annual The Fern 45 Year-Round Donations as an organization 2023 Donations Available upon request - will be updated on site soon! Year Round July 2023 Veterans Guest House Residents $500 Veterans Guest House put out a story on the local news that they were in need of some food items for their kitchen. Including Canned Chili, Canned Fruits, Spam, Chips and Vienna Sausages. A couple of our board members headed to Wal-Mart and Costco and made it happen! * Costco bags not pictured* May 2023 Veterans Guest House $7,000 This Poker Tourney was somewhat of a last minute gig and we ended up raising $7,000 for the Veterans Guest House! July 2023 Local Homeless Veteran $650 We were made aware that a homeless Veteran was staying in a U-Haul in Fernley until their benefits kicked in 2 weeks later. Unfortunately U-Haul found out and wasn't allowing that anymore, thus making them homeless. We paid for a 2 week extended stay and provided $250 worth of grocery and food gift cards for him and his wife. March 2021 Local Fernley Veteran $1,200 We received news that a Veteran needed some help with their rent before their benefits kicked in the following month. We contacted their rental company and paid their next months rent! June 2018 Local Fernley Veteran New Refrigerator News got to us that a local Fernley Veteran was in desperate need of a fridge. We called up Lowes to see what they had - they gave us a brand new one for $700! June 2023 Army Infantry Veteran New Roof Kelly (our President) met this Veteran in Denio and heard his story. Unfortunately he is dealing with some PTSD due to his time serving our Country. His wife had mentioned that they were in need of a roof on their single wide after the harsh winter. We got to it - called up Troy Whitehead LLC ( a local Fernley company ) and they were on top of it - traveled all the way up there and got it installed in no time. May 2022 Nevada Veterans Coalition $10,775 The Golf Club at Fernley and PTM Management were an amazing host to us for our 1st Annual Poker Run! It was a very successful first year- our donation went to the Nevada Veterans Coalition and we are looking forward to doing it again soon! March 2022 SAVE Protect Foundation $500 Our charitable organization helps struggling disabled veterans and their families and, now, the self-quarantined. SUPPORT THEM! Your contribution will enable us to continue operations, so we can help disabled veterans and their families. We are very grateful for your generosity. Donate to Heartbeats

Edward, Joseph & Frances Fillerup Previous Next