News Release: 9/10/20242024 Heoes Softball Game

The 10th annual Heroes softball game will be held November 8th,2024 at Sportsplex USA Poway.

This event was an idea that Sue Herndon and I put together as a way to recognize the Special Needs community in Poway. The event was originally called the Jack O Smash 500- Fall Family Festival- 5K- 1k. Funds raised were used to support various Special needs organizations in Poway as well as the Poway Padres Special Olympic team.

In the 3rd year the event became a Celebrity softball game with ex MLB players playing with the Poway Padres. In 2018, the event name was changed to the Heroes Softball Game to recognize the efforts of the Poway Firefighters Association Local 3392 in a game with the Poway Padres.

In 2012, the Vargas Poway girls softball team was invited to celebrate their passion for softball and also help both teams raise funds for their year long tournament play.

Over the years, Mayor Steve Vaus and all city council members have participated as Umpires. Definitely no arguments over balls and strikes.!

Sue passed away last year 2 weeks after the game. We live streamed the game for her to watch from home. She was thrilled to see the community come out and continue to enjoy this fun event as we envisioned 10 years ago!

So, this year's game will be dedicated in Sue's memory of her love for this event and for the City of Poway.

Look forward to seeing you on the 8th of November.

Tony Rubino
President
North County special Needs Community Foundation