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Community Corner

Leaders, Celebs Plan to Hit Home Runs for Hope

It's time for the second annual Strike Out Domestic Violence charity softball game.

Everyone loves a little friendly competition. This weekend, a Poway charity is taking "friendly competition" to the next level with the

The Operation for HOPE Foundation, founded by Powegian Kimberly Weisz back in 2005 and based in Rancho Bernardo, is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to increasing awareness of and preventing domestic violence. This is the charity’s second year of hosting a softball tournament that heats up the competition by pitting the city of Poway against the city of San Diego.

“It’s just healthy competition,” Weisz said. “It’s like a retreat for city officials to come together for a good cause.”

On Saturday, Poway’s Mayor Don Higginson and company will face off against former Poway mayor and current San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith and others. While it’s all in the name of charity, a confident Goldsmith has already predicted the game’s outcome.

“It’s a healthy competition to benefit those in need,” Goldsmith said. “We'll take it easy on Poway, and we'll let them borrow our trophy once in a while.”

Higginson said he couldn’t wait to play against Goldsmith, but that the city of San Diego better watch its backs.

“It’s an honor to team up with my dear friend Jan to help support victims of domestic violence,” Higginson said. “Beating the city of San Diego last year was great, but this year’s victory will be even better.”

The charity game is open to the public and Powegians are encouraged to wear their green and blue and cheer on their favorite team. Weisz, whose backyard field is hosting the event, said this now-traditional softball game came about due to partnership with the city and her charity.

“Our partner is the city attorney, who prosecutes domestic offenders,” Weisz said. "At all of the City Council meetings, I would be asked about the charity. We decided to make something good of it.”

Operation for HOPE Foundation plans to use the money raised at the softball game toward multiple organizations that help out those in domestic violence situations, like the YWCA, the North County Family Violence Prevention Center and the San Diego Family Justice Center.

“[Our foundation] can pay for a woman who went to beauty school and can’t afford her beauty license,” Weisz said. “We can pay for someone’s car payment, someone’s chance to start a new life.”

City attorney Goldsmith had high praises for the foundation and the work it does for others.

“Operation For HOPE Foundation is a dynamic organization with a solid foundation for helping victims of domestic violence,” he said. “We appreciate all they do and their work with the Family Justice Center.”

Higginson, too, had positive words for the charity and its cause.

“The HOPE Foundation has been great to work with and are true champions of a wonderful cause,” he said.

Weisz is hoping for a sell out and said there are plenty of tickets left to purchase to help support Operation for HOPE. Tickets cost $10-$20 and cover admission plus cost of food, refreshments and shuttle service, which are being provided by numerous sponsors, such as Vitamin Water, Sun Diego and Charter. There will also be a raffle, boasting prizes such as a skateboard signed by Tony Hawk.

Big name coaches, including former San Diego Padres Randy Jones and Merv Rettenmund, will be giving their tips and trade secrets to teams, and David Justice, former Atlanta Braves player who makes an appearance as himself in the upcoming Brad Pitt film Moneyball, will be part of the opening ceremonies.

Weisz said it’s a feel-good day for everyone, with hilarious competition and a strong focus on hope.

“[Our foundation] is about having hope for tomorrow and not giving up on hope,” Weisz said. "We want kids to know there’s something else out there.”

You can win your own pair of tickets to see the two city rivals hit home runs and swing some strikes right here on Patch! Just "Like" Poway Patch's Facebook Page or follow Poway Patch on Twitter. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we'll post the call on Facebook/Twitter. Whoever responds first with a registered Patch account will win two tickets. If you don't luck out at winning a pair, click here to purchase your own.

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