'Best time of year': Rangers Toy Drive a holiday home run

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 rocked a gingerbread man-themed Christmas cardigan alongside his wife, Jacklyn, in a sweater of her own. They roamed the concourse at Globe Life Field, interacting with fans, signing autographs and spreading cheer for the holidays.

Jon and Jacklyn hosted the 14th Texas Rangers Toy Drive on Wednesday, an annual event that provides toys to children and families in need. The Grays have hosted the event every offseason since Jon signed with Texas ahead of the 2022 season.

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The 2024 version of the Toy Drive raised over 1,000 toys for families in need. It also featured autograph signing sessions with current Rangers players -- Marcus Semien, Josh Smith, Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Sborz and Jonah Heim -- coaches and broadcasters. The Rangers’ mascot, Captain, Santa and Mrs. Claus were all on hand as well. Fans who donated new, unwrapped toys to the Toy Drive received a ticket to a select 2025 Texas Rangers home game.

As always, the Rangers Toy Drive benefits the Mission Arlington-Mission Metroplex Christmas Toy Store.

“We're excited,” Jacklyn said. “Everything goes to Mission Arlington right down the street from here. We've worked with them numerous years and have been there numerous times, and so we just really love what they're doing there and the support that they're getting back to the community. They do everything from helping to pay an electrical bill to housing. They have clothing, a food pantry.

“This is the best time of the year. They have the Christmas store. They actually do a tri-level store, where you've got a level for kids, where they can shop for their parents, a level for parents, where they can shop for the kids, and then an area where they can wrap everything up for their family. So it's really cool what they're doing.”

The Grays have always been active in the community from the start of Jon’s career. They started this Toy Drive during their time in Colorado with the Rockies and began partnering with the Rangers once moving to the Metroplex following the 2021 season.

Gray, the Rangers’ 2023 Roberto Clemente Award nominee, has been active in the DFW community throughout his entire tenure with the club -- from the Toy Drive, to being active with the veteran community in the Metroplex, and sponsoring the Texas Rangers Pet Calendar this year, the proceeds of which go to The Pawerful Rescue, which helps provide a safe and comfortable home for every pet.

“We always knew it was important to us, like to give back,” Gray said. “It's part of our faith for one. We're big believers in not just going to church, but being an extension of the church, and taking care of your community. It's the best thing we could ever ask for. We know we're making a difference with this stuff. It's not just stuff that looks good, it's stuff that's actually making a difference. It's the biggest blessing. I never felt more proud about the stuff that we do off the field, it's the most important stuff.”

Jacklyn emphasized that the two of them are just being “people’s people,” and they like to immerse themselves in the community wherever they go. It’s important for them to be present and interact with fans and do more than just Jon’s on the field efforts.

It’s something that doesn't go unnoticed by his teammates either.

“He's hard working, man,” Lowe said. “He really digs into the community, and obviously wins awards in the season for all the things that he's doing for everybody, it’s big. It's pretty cool that Jon is at the point in his career where he can kind of spearhead things. His name's been in the league for a long time, so he can put his personal label on it, and people will show up to support. So it's a good thing for all of us to see. Hopefully, we continue to progress the way he does.”