Officials to Compete in Charity Game

More than a dozen Ventura County elected officials and dignitaries will compete today in the Punt, Pass and Kick for Charity at halftime of the 12th annual Pride Bowl football game in Oxnard.

The celebrity participants have contributed $1,300 to date for the privilege of seeing who can toss or kick the ball the farthest, said Oxnard Police Officer Bill Lewis II, Pride Bowl chairman.

The Pride Bowl, which pits Ventura County law enforcement personnel in a football game against their counterparts from the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, will kick off at 6 p.m. at Channel Islands High School, 1400 Raiders Way, Oxnard.

“At first, the idea was to have fun and to provide entertainment at halftime,” Lewis said. “But it is also a way to do some fund-raising.”

Dignitaries have agreed to pay $50 to compete in each of the three events. The competition is still open for more entries, Lewis added.

Among those already scheduled to compete are Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard), Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury, Oxnard Mayor Manuel Lopez, Oxnard Councilmen Tom Holden and Andres Herrera, and county Supervisors John K. Flynn and Susan Lacey.

Game tickets are $5 at Johnson’s TV in Oxnard, KVEN radio station in Ventura, or at the gate.

Proceeds from the Pride Bowl will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties, local D.A.R.E. programs and the Gang Alternative Program.