Houston Astros' Carlos Correa and Michael Feliz greet fans and sign autographs during toy drive at Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Astros fans started lining up at 8 a.m. Saturday, December 9, outside Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center in The Woodlands to meet Houston Astros' shortstop Carlos Correa.  The emergency care center teamed up with Correa for a toy drive benefiting underprivileged children in Montgomery County and children in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria. 

Fans showed up with new, unwrapped toys and were excited to see the world champion brought his fiancée, Daniella Rodriguez, and Astros' relief pitcher Michael Feliz.

The players signed bats, gloves, baseballs and jerseys for Astros enthusiasts while collecting more than 800 toys. 

"We couldn't be more pleased with the turnout and the number of toys we were able to collect in a short time," said Pablo Vasquez, associate chief nursing officer, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.  "Carlos Correa, Michael Feliz and the Houston Astros organization were wonderful to work with and really helped make the drive a huge success."

"It really means a lot to be able to help a lot of kids this Christmas that wouldn't be able to get gifts. To be able to help with this drive and bring presents to their homes means a lot," said Correa.

Texas United for Puerto Rico, a nonprofit group that organized to offer relief to those affected by Hurricane Maria, will distribute half of the toys to children in Puerto Rico, while Interfaith of The Woodlands will organize the distribution to local children.

About Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center in The Woodlands

Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center in The Woodlands, a department of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, provides extensive emergency care services in Houston's northern region — 24/7. The emergency care center includes board-certified emergency medicine physicians and specially trained emergency room staff;  8 private treatment rooms; on-site emergency care services including X-ray, CT, ultrasound and laboratory services. Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center in The Woodlands is located at 3759 FM 1488, The Woodlands, Texas 77384. 

Media Contact:
Amy Barnett
Sr. Marketing & Media Specialist
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
Cell 281.904.9329
abarnett@houstonmethodist.org

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SOURCE Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital