Celebrity Autographs And Celebrity Addresses

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers see themselves as more than just a sports franchise. They see themselves as a contributing part of the community, and that giving spirit was on display again in 2005.

"I think we have built a great tradition in Arlington, and it is our responsibility to use our assets to give back to the community," said former Rangers catcher and current executive director to the president Jim Sundberg. "For years, we have helped by doing our part, and I think with the recent hurricanes, it's important for the community to know we are there for them. They are there for us."

The Texas Rangers Foundation, a non-profit organization created in 1991 to support community endeavors, has been a success. Again.

The events sponsored by the Texas Rangers Foundation included: the first Cancer Awareness Day at Ameriquest Field in Arlington; Fight Hunger at the Plate, a partnership with the Tarrant Area Food Bank and North Texas Food Bank; Firefighter/Officer Appreciation Night; the Diamond Boot event to benefit the Texas Chapter of the American Society for Autism; and silent auctions.

Other programs included the Mark Holtz Hello Win Column Fund, the organ donor awareness softball game and Shoes for Orphan Souls. The Rangers also honored the Teacher of the Year as part of Teachers Appreciation Night.

In conjunction with outfielder David Dellucci's foundation (Catch 22 for Blue) and Brookshire's, the Rangers recently provided 30 Thanksgiving baskets to families that had been relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex from the Gulf Coast area because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"Being from Baton Rouge, La., I take a lot of pride in saying that I am from there," Dellucci said. "It touches my heart when I think of families going into the holidays away from home and separated from family members. It really drives me to help."

Additionally, Catch 22 for Blue and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation are teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves and FSN Southwest and KLUV radio in the Toys for Tots program to collect toys this holiday season -- primarily to benefit the several thousand Gulf Coast residents who have relocated to the area because of the hurricanes. The Catch 22 for Blue Toy Drive will kick off on Nov. 28.

The holiday drive will conclude with a special Catch 22 for Blue Toy Drive Celebration on Dec. 15 from 5-7:30 p.m. CT in Vandergriff Plaza at Ameriquest Field in Arlington. The Catch 22 for Blue Toy Drive Celebration will feature autographs, caroling, Santa, Rangers Captain and the Legends of the Game Museum craft area. Admission is free, and fans are encouraged to bring toys to help the families of North Texas.


Baseball's Giving Spirit 2005 | MLB in the Community

Texas Rangers players, front office staff, Santa Claus and Rangers Captain will once again visit Children's Medical Center of Dallas, on Dec. 15 from 10-11:15 a.m. The Texas Rangers Annual Holiday Sale will take place at Ameriquest Field in Arlington on Dec. 9-10. The sale will feature cracked bats, Rangers jerseys, flags, former Texas Rangers Alumni autographed items, publications and a variety of other items.

"When you help out or you visit a child in the hospital, it does something to the person who is helping, and that is positive," Sundberg said. "For some people, these are trying times, and we will help with support. Especially with the hurricane victims, rebuilding is not going to happen overnight. It's something that is going to take time. We want to do our part to make the transition easier."