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 2025 END OF YEAR Donations Raised Nov 6-8 2025 100% of this money goes to our Veterans. These funds were all dispersed, in person to each and every one of these wonderful 501c3 Non-Profit organizations that support our veterans. Veterans Guest House : $37,500 Northern Nevada State Veterans Home: $20,000 Honor Flight Nevada: $30,000 Nevada Veterans Coalition: $10,000 American Legion Post 37: $5,000 Reins of Hope: $5,000 Legacy Air Base: $10,000 Nevadans 4 Vets: $20,000 NV Woodchucks: $2500 As a reminder, all of our crew and board members are 100% volunteer-based! Feel free to email us with any questions To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. SPONSORSHIPS NOW OPEN SPONSORSHIPS NOW OPEN SPONSORSHIPS NOW OPEN SPONSORSHIPS NOW OPEN Sponsorship Form Download Sponsorship Proposal PDF 2026 SPONSORSHIPS NOW OPEN Been thinking about sponsoring an event? The Fern 45 is a perfect one to sponsor! 100% of what we make goes towards our veterans. Your sponsorship helps us lower the cost of our event and make that check at the end bigger. Get in quick! Some sponsorships sell out quick (HINT: Cardstop sponsorships) 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 Heartbeats Grant is open! 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 Please allow up to 4 weeks for approval (Emergency situations may be approved sooner) Grant Coordinator - Connie 1-530-908-3052 grants@thefern45.com Grant Application 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 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.

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. SPONSORING THE FERN 45 Our first year, we were able to donate $1200 and a new laptop to the Nevada Veterans Coalition with around 130 participants. Each year, our event has grown and we have been able to raise more money due to our loyal participants, donations and sponsors. We have not gone backwards in our donation amount thus far. Our most recent event in 2025 brought over 1000 participants and their family and friends, totaling to around 2000 people in attendance throughout the weekend. We were able to present a check to our Nevada Veterans for $140,000, raising our check amount $20,000 from the previous year. We are excited to continue our goal of not going backwards in our donation check ALL SPONSORS MUST FILL OUT THE FORM SPONSORSHIPS CLOSE OCT 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 or Kayleigh Capone 775-636-0233 kayleigh@thefern45.com Fill Out Sponsorship Form Download Sponsorship Proposal PDF (this has all the info you need in it) SPONSORSHIP LEVELS Click here to open Sponsorship Form to see details of each sponsorship HEADLINE $10,000 SOLD OUT - THANK YOU BURKE ROOFING INC. TITLE $5000 Available BAR $4000 SOLD OUT - THANK YOU PARKWAY ATHLETICS FERNLEY EVENT $2500 Available CARDSTOP $1500 Available CORNHOLE $1500 Available TEXAS HOLD EM $1500 Available PATRIOT $1000 Available GENERAL $500 Available TRADE Trade benefits and cost of sponsorship will vary based on services provided. Available

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

Richard Stanley March 1948 - October 2017 Marines Served 2 tours in Vietnam Previous Next

FAQ Do I need to register everyone in my vehicle? Yes. All persons in the vehicle must have a wristband to enter the course and the vehicle must have a course entry sticker as well. Course Entry stickers are $10 as of 2024. Extra course entry stickers may be available at check-in if you are bringing a surprise extra vehicle. Are kids free? How old do you have to be to play a poker card? Kids 6 & under are free! You must be 18 or older to participate in the poker card, we will have a different option for 18u kiddos to participate in the "poker run". Can I pre-purchase a separate lunch by itself? No, the lunches are provided to our VIP registration holders. However, there will be several food trucks available at lunch time! I can't make it but I already purchased a registration. Can I get a refund? We are a non-refundable event, we have had people donate their registration to Veteran(s) who are coming. Let us know if you have any questions. Do you accept all forms of payment? Cash, Credit/Debit & Venmo! I just want to ride the course, I don't want to play poker, how do I go about doing that? We do not have an option to ride the course without playing poker. If you are not interested in playing your card, you may give your card to someone else. Anyone without a wristband purchased is not allowed on our course. We have a course permit through BLM and are responsible for those on our course - we need everyone to be accounted for. Thank you. Will food be available to purchase Thursday, Friday and Saturday? YES! Thursday, Friday and Saturday we will have food trucks available for lunch and dinner. VIP registration comes with an exclusive lunch on Saturday. See our event page to see our VIP food caterer and food trucks attending! How hard is the course? If you don't have 4wd we do not recommend you to come on our course. Anything bigger than a jeep is also not recommended. Can I arrive early to camp? No. Do not arrive any earlier than Thursday at 12:00p. Gates will be locked and you will be turned away until camping opens. We know you are excited and so are we! However, our volunteers and crew will be busy setting up and making this event the best yet. Thank you. What is the camping situation like? This is a dry camping area and is first come first serve situation. Please do not save spots. Minimum of three trailers to create a "U" camp site. NO "SQUARE" campsites. VIP camping is not available. If you would like first choice in camp spots, please check out our sponsorship levels and we will get you in your choice of spot. What vehicles are allowed on the course? Dirtbikes, UTVs, ATVS & Jeeps or similar size. Anything bigger than a jeep might have some trouble in certain spots! What if the weather is bad? This is a rain, snow or shine event! Check the weather before coming and bring appropriate attire. We will have campfires up at the venue and a big ol' tent for you to dance your heart out. Do you have a question that hasn't been answered? Please email us! info@thefern45.com

Are you a Veteran in need of services? Check out some of theses resources. Veteran Resources Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call. Call 1-800-273-8255 or Text 838255 Vision All Nevada Veterans and their families understand, and can connect to, benefits and services they have earned. Mission Serve Nevada Veterans by honoring their remarkable legacy and by connecting them to earned benefits and services. Through our seven major lines of effort we: Professionally assist Veterans and their families obtain Federal and State Veterans benefits. Provide quality skilled nursing care at our State Veterans Homes. Provide dignified burial support at our State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries. Manage effective programs addressing the needs of at-risk Veterans. Successfully integrate returning Servicemembers and Veterans into Nevada communities. Honor the service and sacrifice of all Nevada’s Veterans and their families through ceremonies and information campaigns. Assist, and coordinate the efforts of, service organizations and individuals insofar as their activities benefit Nevada Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families. The Nation’s Largest Provider of Service Dogs for Veterans Determined to end veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors provides highly-trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With the majority of dogs coming from high-kill rescue shelters, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery. Off-Road Racing for Veterans by Veterans Providing a Unique Approach to Helping Our US Military Veterans of all Generations Through Off-Road Racing OUR MISSION Desert Vets Racing (DVR) is determined to provide immediate team-building, vocational skills, and mental health support access through the sport of racing to US military veterans and active duty personnel - in order to facilitate healthy transitions into civilian life and lower the risk of suicide and substance abuse dependencies. OUR VISION We believe that the growth of locally oriented grassroots activities that involve a combination of technical skills, adrenaline, team effort, and business/marketing skills will ultimately provide a missing piece to the “veteran puzzle” in minimizing the mental health and substance-related struggles we see today. Nevada Drug, Alcohol & Suicide Rates Expected to Grow 40% in 10 Years : Facts, statistics, and understanding Fentanyl Suicide Among Veterans : Discusses the connection between veteran addiction and suicide Suicide and Addiction : Discusses the risk factors, warning signs and prevention, the substances abused, and mental health considerations. Alcoholism and Suicide Risk : Discusses how a substance abuse problem increases the risk of suicide and provides contact information for suicide hotlines. Choosing the Best Inpatient Suicidal Thoughts and Addiction Recovery Center : A guide on how to find help. The Link Between Substance Abuse & Suicide in Teens : Statistics and facts on teenagers' using substances as signs that can lead to suicide For those hoping to find help in their local areas can also use our free directory to locate the nearest treatment facilities or they can use our free text line to start the road to recovery. MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA Military sexual trauma (MST) is the term that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) use to refer to sexual assault or ongoing sexual harassment that occurred while a veteran was in active military service. MST includes any sexual activity an individual was involved in against their will or when they could not say no. People of all ages, genders, racial/ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and branches of military service have experienced MST. Like other forms of trauma, MST can negatively affect an individual’s physical and psychological health, even many years after the incident. Our new resource helps veterans understand how Medicare works with VA and TRICARE, should a veteran enroll, how to enroll, and most importantly strategies on how to maximize benefits. You can view the guide here: - VA HEALTHCARE & MEDICARE - TRICARE & MEDICARE - ENROLL IN MEDICARE - MEDICARE RESOURCES MEMORY CARE IN NEVADA Alzheimer's disease is listed as the sixth-leading cause of death in Nevada, according to data from the CDC . In 2019 alone, 678 seniors in Nevada died from Alzheimer's-related causes. The number of cases of Alzheimer's in the state is projected to continue to increase. Information from the Alzheimer's Association shows that 49,000 seniors were diagnosed with the condition in 2020, and the number is expected to increase by 30.6% to 64,000 in 2025. CLICK TO LEARN MORE

From $1200 and a laptop to $15,000 to our veterans. Check out our past year donations! our ORIGIN story Ahhhh....The Fern 45! Where do I start? It started out just wanting to have a poker run in the desert with friends and family so I could share some cool trails and views with them. Shortly after...it was planned! It just happened to be Veteran's day 2015! Figured we would charge our buddies 25 bucks, winner takes all with a party afterwards, sounded great! THEN IT CLICKED! "It's Veteran's day, why don't we donate to them?" After a couple calls to Mr. Brett Palmer of the Nevada Veteran's Coalition, it was known that they could use a new laptop, we were on it! We will get you two! (Me being confident our friends could raise enough money to handle it) Thinking if we had 30 people show up it would be super fun and a party for the books. Boy, oh, boy... I was mistaken! Somewhere around 135 people showed up, including the coalition themselves! We ended up getting them that laptop and 1200 bucks! The support from friends, family, and the community of Fernley was so awesome. I, personally, will never forget the parade of rigs marching up the dirt road to participate. The sense of pride, overwhelming, to the point i almost cried. (Okay, not gonna lie, I shed a few tears) The team of my immediate family and a few friends has turned into a committed organization that's willing to donate their time, money, and huge efforts each year to keep the drive alive. I like to call it "fun"draising! This will be our 6th year raising money for veteran's and their programs. On behalf of each crew member that has ever volunteered, no matter amount of time or energy; to all the sponsors, no matter amount donated; and especially to the 95 Motorsports Complex for providing the area to stage all you "off-road crazy-heads" ! We have donated somewhere around $50,000 now!! I never thought this would be an annual event, but here we are. Lets do this, have fun, be safe always... THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! -Kelly Walsh (President/Founder of the Fern 45) P.S. Catch me at the campfire and I'll fill ya in on the rest!

James Martin Previous Next

Vance Gooch US Navy Previous Next

Take look at the festivities happening this weekend! EVERYONE in the vehicle MUST have a wristband ALL VEHICLES MUST BE SIGNED UP If your vehicle does not have a course entry sticker (received at check-in) you will not be permitted on the course EVENT SCHEDULE REMINDERS Day of Event Pricing GA - $100 (unless Veteran) 18u - $40 6u - Free Vehicle Entry - $10 Camping - $60 VENDOR RUN IS THURS/FRI WINNER ANNOUNCED 6:30p Friday! THURSDAY 11/6/2025 12:00p - Gates, Fern45 Bar, Registration, Vendors, Merch & Boys & Girls Club Bounce House 1:00p - Food Trucks 4:00p - Sergio Gutierrez Live Music 5:00p - Texas Hold Em Check-in 6:00p - Texas Hold Em Begins 8:00p - Merch begins to close 11:00p - Bar Closes FRIDAY 11/7/2025 7:00a - Breakfast, Coffee & Fern45 Bar Open 9:00a - Registration & Merch 11:00a - Food Trucks 12:00p - Vendors (some may open earlier) 3:00p - Tap Wagon Open 4:00p - Registration Closed, Cornhole Check-In 5:00p - Cornhole Begins 6:30p - VENDOR RUN WINNER ANNOUNCED- must be present to win (will pause cornhole to announce) 7:00p- or after Cornhole LIVE MUSIC with the band Repeat Offenders 9:00p - Merchandise & Tap Wagon Closes 11:00p- Bar Closes SATURDAY 11/8/2025 6:30a - Breakfast & Coffee at Food Trucks, Registration, Merch 8:00a - Opening Ceremonies & Mandatory Riders Meeting Honor Guard & Flyover by Dream Flights / Legacy Air Base National Anthem by Trisha Zinda Registration & Merch Closed - Merch Re-Opens at 12:00p 9:00a - Course open - Sasquatch Hunt begins! 11:00a - Starting gates to course - CLOSED. Nobody enters course after 11:00a! 12:00p - Vendors, Bar & Tap Wagon, Merch, Food Trucks, Boys & Girls Club Bounce House 3:00p - Cardstops on course CLOSE & Poker Board goes up 4:45p - POKER WINNER & DOOR PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE DOT 5:00p- GUN RAFFLE WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE DOT - must be present to win Raffle, Live Painting & Live Auction Begins AFTER Raffle & Live Auction LIVE MUSIC with Madeiro Drive! 9:00p - Tap Wagon & Merch Closes 11:00p - BAR CLOSED EVERYONE in the vehicle MUST have a wristband ALL VEHICLES MUST BE SIGNED UP If your vehicle does not have a course entry sticker (received at check-in) you will not be permitted on the course FOOD TRUCKS- Dee's Potato Box Hungry Digger Freedom Espresso Hello Sugar ..more to come!

Norman Miller 4/22/1922 - 11/8/1977 Master Sargeant US Air Force Served in Korea and Vietnam Previous Next

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