NewsThree Padres fans up for All-Star honor
Club announces finalists for community service initiativeBy Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com
06/08/09 12:51 PM ET
Three finalists per Major League club were chosen out of thousands of nominations from across the United States and Canada of "everyday All-Stars," people who have gone above and beyond to serve their community. Fans are invited to vote in the All-Stars Among Us campaign, a presentation of People Magazine and Major League Baseball, for the 30 winners from June 8-24. One winner will be chosen as a representative of every club, and all 30 will be honored Busch Stadium in St. Louis for the July 14 All-Star Game. One club representative also will be featured in People Magazine. Here are the finalists for San Diego: • Richard Nares of San Diego started the Emilio Nares Foundation after his young son died of cancer. His Ride With Emilio program transports sick children to their weekly cancer treatments and medical appointments when their families lack access to transportation. For families coping with a child's illness, the foundation provides a vitally important service. • Eric Northbrook of Olivenhain, Calif., was paralyzed from the waist down in a dirt-bike accident in 2006 and started HeadNorth Foundation to help other victims of spinal-cord trauma in San Diego. His foundation has raised over $1.5 million to help those afflicted and research to help find a cure. • Dr. Jeffrey C. Gray of Ramona, Calif., is the founder of Smiles for Life. With participating dentists from across North America, Gray has raised over $25 million for children's charities, including the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation. Smiles for Life helps triple-match contributions made by over 300 Major League Baseball players. Meanwhile, vote for your favorite players with the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 sites, and look for Walt Disney Pictures G-Force All-Star Game ballots at Major League and Minor League ballparks. The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage.Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
