Oceanside native Richard Nares got some major league recognition Tuesday when President Barack Obama praised his community service at professional baseball's All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Nares, who runs a San Diego nonprofit organization that assists families of children with cancer, was one of 30 men and women honored by Major League Baseball and People Magazine as "All-Stars Among Us" during the pre-game show.

Wearing jerseys of their local teams, the volunteers were ushered onto the field at Busch Stadium where they shook hands with the professional athletes.

"I hope tonight's showcase of service will be an inspiration -- a model for what is possible, and a call to action," said Obama, who singled out Nares in a video address with former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

"We're huge Obama fans, so personally, we're so honored," said Nares' wife, Diane, in a phone interview before the game.

A graduate of Oceanside High School, Nares started the Emilio Nares Foundation in 2003 after the death of his 5-year-old son. Among its programs is Ride With Emilio, in which sick children receive transportation to their medical appointments. The service recently expanded into Orange County.

"When we were on Emilio's journey with him, we were always cognizant of how many people were really struggling," Diane Nares said of the families.

Based in the Ronald McDonald House next to Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, the foundation has an annual budget of about $300,000, she said.

People Magazine initially selected 90 finalists (three for each baseball team) for the All-Star honor, then tasked the public with selecting the winners online. Nares got a boost from a high-profile fan. Professional cyclist Lance Armstrong, a survivor of testicular cancer, used the Internet message service Twitter to encourage people to vote for him.

"I think Lance's twitter might have put us over the edge," Diane Nares said.

Soon after arriving in St. Louis on Sunday, Richard and Diane Nares, both in their mid-50s, were immersed in press conferences, cocktail parties and "festivities galore."

Luz Quiorga, the foundation's transportation coordinator, said her employer was humbled by the honor.

"At one point there were tears in his eyes," she said. "He was so proud."

To learn more, go to emilionaresfoundation.org

Call staff writer Craig TenBroeck at 760-901-4062.