Three New Englanders have been recognized by the Boston Red Sox for excellent service to their communities.
On Wednesday, Major League Baseball, People magazine and the Red Sox announced the three finalists for the 2010 “People All-Stars Among Us” national campaign. The three Red Sox finalists are Lenny Moitoso of Fairfield, Conn.; Dr. John Mulqueen of Gardner, Mass.; and Larry Pelletier of Meriden, Conn.
Moitoso, a seventh-grade teacher, co-founded Ludlowe Corps, which sends local students to developing countries to participate in health, education and environmental projects. The organization has raised over $100,000 for various projects, including starting a new elementary school in Senegal.
Dr. Mulqueen founded Forward in Health in 2006, which serves Haitians in need of medical attention. Dr. Mulqueen frequently travels to Haiti with large numbers of volunteers, and made a trip just seven days after the devastating earthquake.
Pelletier opened a boxing gym 15 years ago to help get kids off the street through boxing. The gym, which is free to anyone below the age of 18, has grown into a community center with a computer/homework center plus dance, art, music and fitness programs. Pelletier works full-time but still manages to find time to run the gym.
One of the three finalists will be chosen to represent the Red Sox at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim, Calif., via online voting.
Fans are encouraged to log on to http://www.PEOPLEAllStars.com now through June 20 to vote for their favorite community "All-Stars."
A total of 30 "All-Stars," one representing each MLB club, will attend the All-Star weekend in Anaheim, and be honored on the field at Angel Stadium during a pregame ceremony on July 13.
