Gray family gets festive at Texas Rangers Toy Drive

This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry's Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ARLINGTON -- Jon Gray walked the Globe Life Field concourse decked out in a red, white and green Christmas sweater. His wife, Jacklyn Gray, roamed with him sporting a festive red dress.

For the second time in two offseasons with the club, the Gray family hosted the Texas Rangers Toy Drive, an annual event that provides toys to children and families in need. The 2023 edition -- which took place on Thursday at the Rangers' ballpark -- benefited the Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex Christmas Toy Store.

This year, over 1,300 toys were donated, as fans were treated to autograph sessions, free tickets to select games and other holiday festivities.

Gray was joined by teammates Marcus Semien, Josh Sborz, and J.P. Martínez -- as well as coaches Seth Conner, Brett Hayes and Mike Maddux -- in the free autograph sessions. Rangers broadcasters Matt Hicks, Emily Jones, Eleno Ornelas, Dave Raymond and Jared Sandler all joined the autograph sessions.

“It's an important time,” Gray said. “It's been a really crazy year. It's an important time and Christmas is really special to us. We like to get festive, obviously, and Mission Arlington is doing a really good thing here. This was a hit last year and it really helps out a lot of families in the community, a lot of kids. We're happy as ever to put this thing on and we can't thank you guys enough for showing out.”

The Grays have always been active in the community, from their time in Colorado with the Rockies to the relocation to the Metroplex following the 2021 season.

Gray, the Rangers’ 2023 Clemente Award nominee, has been active in the DFW community throughout his entire tenure with the club. He’s stepped it up even more in '23.

“Giving is something that's definitely important to us,” Jacklyn said. “We've always given, but the Rangers have jumped behind us 110%. They've made what we're doing even so much more impactful and we've been able to reach so many more people than we used to because of their support.

“So it's really because of them giving us the avenues and making the connections that we need. We're happy that we're a part of a team that means just as much to them as it does to us.”

During the season, Jon donated $100 per strikeout to The Pawerful Rescue in Royse City, Texas, a non-profit animal rescue center that works to provide a safe and comfortable home for all animals. He and Jacklyn also spearheaded the return of the Texas Rangers Pet Calendar, the proceeds of which benefited The Pawerful Rescue.

His biggest program has been #MissionGrayWolf22, in which he and his wife host military families at various Rangers games throughout the season. In addition, Gray donates $500 for each of his wins to the Adaptive Training Foundation, a Carrollton, Texas, based non-profit program that serves wounded and injured military veterans, first responders and disabled community members.

Gray also hosted The Birthday Party Project during four Rangers home games this season. Its mission is to bring joy to children experiencing homelessness through the magic of a birthday celebration.

“You see Jon and Jacklyn’s faces on the scoreboard throughout the season for all the different things they're doing,” Semien said. “It's amazing. I think that they have set the standard for what Texas Rangers players are all about. We're here to support their cause.

“I think when you have a room full of good people, it’s fun to come to the ballpark every day. You still have to play well. But when you're playing well and you're with a group that gets along, you see what we did. [General manager Chris Young] was that kind of player too.”