News
Environmentalist is A's' 'All-Star Among Us'
California native Silverstein founded organization SeacologyBy Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com
06/29/09 8:09 PM ET
After thousands of nominees from across the United States and Canada were narrowed to 90 finalists, Major League Baseball and PEOPLE have announced the 30 winners of the "All-Stars Among Us" campaign, which spotlights people who have gone above and beyond to serve their communities. The Oakland Athletics' "All-Star" is Duane Silverstein of Albany, Calif., who was chosen by fans across the nation for engaging young people around the world in initiatives ranging from increasing access to education to fighting poverty. Silverstein's organization, Seacology, finds win-win environmental solutions. It has built 85 schools and established more than 35 scholarship programs benefiting indigenous peoples around the world. They also have preserved over two million acres of threatened forests and coral reefs. The rock group Daughtry featured Silverstein in a music video about unsung heroes. Silverstein and the rest of the winners will be honored during the pregame ceremony at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14 on FOX, at which President Barack Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. One club representative also will be featured in People Magazine. Nearly three quarters of a million votes were cast by fans across the nation in the All-Stars Among Us campaign to select the 30 "All-Stars Among Us" winners -- one per Major League team -- out of the pool of 90 finalists who are serving as leaders within their communities. The other finalists for the Athletics were: • April Horowitz: The Camarillo, Calif., resident founded the non-profit Heart of a Horse organization, which works tirelessly to save horses around the country from slaughterhouses, abuse and abandonment. • Noel D'allacco: The Yonkers, N.Y., resident created the non-profit organization, Operation Prom, which has donated more than 500 dresses to underprivileged teens this year alone. And after prom season, she collects school supplies for underprivileged students. Meanwhile, vote for your favorite players with the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 sites.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 5 p.m. PT. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage.
Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
