Texas Rangers to participate in Cowboy Santas Toy Drive for 2013 holiday season

The Texas Rangers announced today details of the team's participation in the 2013 Cowboy Santas Toy Drive, the third consecutive year in which the organization has been involved in the holiday initiative.

Outfielder Craig Gentry and his wife Jordan are serving as the Honorary Spokespersons for the program, which provides toys to children from low-income Tarrant County families during the holiday season.

The Cowboy Santas Toy Drive results in the collection of thousands of new, unwrapped toys that are distributed to needy children in Tarrant County. Beginning Friday, November 29 and continuing through Tuesday, December 17, individuals can drop off new unwrapped toys or books at either the Texas Rangers Grand Slam Gift Shop at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Rangers Fort Worth Team Shop at 316 Main St., or the Rangers Dallas Team Shop at 2222 McKinney Ave., Suite 140 during regular store hours (see below). Items may also be dropped off at all Fort Worth Police and Fire Departments and at the Como Community Center Warehouse, 541 North Main St. in Fort Worth.

On Tuesday, December 17 from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m., the Rangers will sponsor a Cowboy Santas Toy Drive Event at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in the center field Vandergriff Plaza area. Current and former Rangers players will be on hand to sign autographs during this event. Holiday movies will be shown on the video screen, the Rangers KidsZone will be open, and drink and food specials will be provided by Sportservice. Other activities will include face painting, balloon artists, and a photo booth with a special appearance by Santa Claus. Donations of new unwrapped toys and books for boys and girls, newborn to age 12, will be greatly encouraged.

Fans attending the December 17 event may Park in Lot B and enter Rangers Ballpark in Arlington through the Majestic Grand Slam Gift Shop.

Sponsors for the 2013 Cowboy Santas include the Texas Rangers Foundation, CBS11/TXA21, Fox Sports Southwest, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, ESPN DePortes 1540 AM, and Sportservice.

For more information, please call 817-273-5207 or visit texasrangers.com.

More About Cowboy Santas:
The Cowboy Santas Program Inc. is a non-profit program that provides toys to children from low-income Tarrant County families, during the holiday season. The program began in 1981 at several Fort Worth Community Centers, and over the last two decades, the program has grown to cover all of Tarrant County. Cowboy Santas Program is recognized by the Internal Revenue Services as a 501 C(3) charitable organization. The program is headquartered in the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department. During the 2012 holiday season, Cowboy Santas provided toys for more than 12,500 children from more than 5,000 families. Families must have income at or below 150% of the Federal Income Guidelines and children must be 12 years old or under. More information is available at CowboySantas.org.

NEW 2014 RANGERS MERCHANDISE NOW ON SALE
Texas Rangers jerseys and t-shirts featuring the team's new insignia for 2014 are now on sale at the Majestic Grand Slam Gift Shop at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and the Texas Rangers Team Shops in Dallas and Fort Worth.

Item currently available include white and red home jerseys for Prince Fielder and Yu Darvish as well as adult and youth player t-shirts. Player t-shirts available include Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre, Yu Darvish, and Prince Fielder.

In addition, the Rangers will be offering a special promotion beginning on Friday, November 29 at all three club Gift Shops. Fans who purchase select replica jerseys from 2013 will receive a free Rangers game used baseball, a $40.00 value. The promotion will be in effect while supplies last.

Weekend store hours for the Rangers shops:

• Majestic Grand Slam Gift Shop, Rangers Ballpark-Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Dallas Team Shop: Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Closed Sunday
• Fort Worth Team Shop: Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Sunday: 12 noon-6:00 p.m.