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Rangers Foundation and just keep livin foundation Announce Partnership in Local High Schools

May 14, 2011

TEXAS RANGERS AND JUST KEEP LIVIN FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP IN SUPPORT OF METROPLEX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

After-school programs to be implemented in three local high schools

Arlington, TX — The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and the just keep livin foundation today announced the details of a new partnership that will create and fund extensive after-school programs at three high schools in the Arlington, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

The just keep livin foundation, which was founded by native Texas actor Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves, has as its mission “helping teenage kids lead active lives and make healthy choices to become great men and women.”

The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has provided funding and support for education and health based programs for the children of North Texas since its inception in 1991. Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz is also assisting the two Foundations in the funding for the after-school programs.

“I have always believed that if you wanted to create positive change you should start in your own backyard and that is why I am so thankful to the Texas Rangers Foundation for this partnership in my home state,” commented McConaughey, who is co-founder of the foundation with his partner, Camila Alves. “I’m grateful to the Rangers for their commitment to make a difference in the lives of the youth in this community together with my just keep livin foundation.”

”The Texas Rangers Foundation is extremely pleased to be involved in this very worthwhile endeavor,” commented club CEO & President Nolan Ryan. “We salute the work of Matthew McConaughey and the just keep livin foundation and share their interest in providing the education and motivation necessary to create healthy young people who are self-confident and self-aware for the students of North Texas. I also want to thank Nelson Cruz for stepping up and assisting in the funding of the programs.”

The after-school programs will be implemented at schools selected by the respective Independent School Districts: Sam Houston High School in Arlington, L.G. Pinkston High School in Dallas, and Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School in Fort Worth and will meet twice per week for the duration of the school year. The schools were selected based on a number of criteria including the health of student population and other factors. The programs will operate without any financial investment from the three ISDs.

The curriculums for the programs have been created in partnership with Scholastic and with the guidance of Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves. They will consist of voluntary fitness and wellness programs designed to teach the students to help themselves.

“These after-school programs will provide a positive place where kids can learn the values of responsibility, self-esteem, accountability and commitment,” commented Texas Rangers Foundation President Jim Sundberg. “Participating students will have a safe place to overcome their fears and improve their lives with fitness coaches and health experts.”

In addition to assisting in the funding, the Rangers will have significant involvement in the after-school programs by providing incentives to students and by making appearances at the participating high schools.

McConaughey, who will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to tonight’s Rangers-Yankees game was presented with a Rangers jersey by Ryan at the press conference. Participants in the press conference also included Jerry McCullough, Superintendent, Arlington Independent School District, Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent of Schools, Dallas Independent School District, Melody Johnson, Superintendent, Fort Worth Independent School District, and the principals and students from the three participating high schools.

About the just keep livin foundation: the just keep livin foundation was started by Matthew McConaughey with the hope of encouraging children to make positive and healthy changes in themselves and in the world around them. Their works starts with the idea that each child will benefit given the opportunity for a healthy lifestyle. The foundation works with schools throughout the United States and in other parts of the world to reach the maximum number of children with the greatest needs.

About the Texas Rangers Foundation: For 20 years, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has provided funding and programming to make better the lives of children in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and North Texas. The Foundation has given more than $11 million since 1991 to help youth in crisis, youth education, youth baseball, and youth health. The Foundation has implemented a fitness program for fifth graders with Medical Center of Arlington for more than 5 years that has helped more than 25,000 fifth-graders learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles.