Month of Giving Impacts Lives Positively Through the Cleveland Browns

Each December, the Cleveland Browns turn their focus beyond the football field with “Month of Giving”—a month-long initiative designed to lift up the Cleveland community through charitable acts, resource donations, and direct engagement with families in need. What began as a small volunteer drive a decade ago has grown into a cornerstone of the franchise’s community outreach, touching thousands of lives annually through partnerships with local nonprofits, food banks, and youth organizations. In 2024, the initiative expanded its reach, addressing critical needs like food insecurity, housing stability, and access to youth sports—all while leveraging the team’s platform to inspire fans and local businesses to join the effort. Month of Giving Impacts Lives Positively Through the Cleveland Browns explores the structure of the 2024 initiative, key projects that delivered tangible support, player and staff involvement, stories of families impacted, and how the program strengthens the Browns’ bond with the community.

Month of Giving Impacts Lives Positively Through the Cleveland Browns opens with the framework of the 2024 initiative, which centered on three pillars: fighting hunger, empowering youth, and supporting families in crisis. To address food insecurity—a top local concern—the Browns partnered with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to host weekly food drives at FirstEnergy Stadium, where fans, players, and staff collected nonperishable items and donated funds to cover meal costs. The team also sponsored “Holiday Meal Kits” for 5,000 low-income families, each containing ingredients for a full Christmas dinner (ham, potatoes, vegetables, and dessert) plus a $50 gift card for fresh groceries. For youth empowerment, the Browns launched a “Sports Equipment Drive,” collecting new and gently used cleats, helmets, and uniforms to donate to underfunded local high school and youth football programs. Additionally, they hosted a “Holiday Toy Drive” in partnership with Toys for Tots, collecting over 10,000 toys for children in foster care or low-income households. “Month of Giving isn’t just about donating—it’s about meeting the community where they need us most,” said Browns Community Relations Director Sarah Johnson. “Every project is chosen based on local data about what Cleveland families struggle with, so we know our efforts are making a real difference.”

Month of Giving Impacts Lives Positively Through the Cleveland Browns delves into the hands-on projects that brought players and staff face-to-face with community members, turning donations into meaningful connections. One standout event was the “Browns Holiday Shop,” where 200 children from low-income families were invited to a local Walmart, paired with a Browns player or coach, and given a $200 gift card to buy presents for themselves and their families. Defensive end Myles Garrett, who participated for the fifth year in a row, helped 10-year-old Lila pick out a winter coat and a doll for her little sister. “Seeing her smile when she found the coat—she said she’d been cold at school—reminds me why this matters,” Garrett said. Another impactful project was the “Home Warmth Drive,” where players and staff visited 50 elderly residents in Cleveland’s East Side neighborhood to deliver space heaters, blankets, and winter hats, plus spend an hour chatting with each resident (many of whom live alone). Offensive lineman Joel Bitonio helped 82-year-old Mr. Carter install his new heater, saying, “These are the moments you don’t get on the field—connecting with people who’ve rooted for this team for decades. It’s an honor to give back to them.”

Month of Giving Impacts Lives Positively Through the Cleveland Browns covers how the initiative inspired fan and local business participation, turning a team effort into a community-wide movement. The Browns encouraged fans to join the food drives by offering free tickets to a 2025 preseason game for anyone who donated 10 or more nonperishable items—resulting in over 50,000 pounds of food collected, enough to provide 42,000 meals. Local restaurants partnered with the team to donate a portion of their December sales to Month of Giving: a downtown Cleveland diner raised \(12,000 by donating \)1 from every breakfast sandwich sold, while a pizza chain gave $5 from every large pizza order. Even local schools got involved: 30 Cleveland Public Schools hosted their own toy drives, with students collecting over 3,000 toys to add to the Browns’ donation. “We knew Month of Giving could be bigger if we invited the community to join,” Johnson said. “The response was overwhelming—fans and businesses didn’t just contribute, they took ownership of the initiative.” For the Cleveland Browns, this collective effort amplified the impact: what started as a team project became a way for the entire city to support its most vulnerable members, strengthening the sense of unity around the franchise.

Another layer of Month of Giving Impacts Lives Positively Through the Cleveland Browns is the long-term ripple effects of the initiative, beyond the month of December. The sports equipment donated to youth programs, for example, will benefit over 1,200 kids in 2025, letting them play football without worrying about 买不起 gear. The Browns also committed to following up with 100 families who received holiday meal kits, connecting them with long-term resources like job training programs and affordable housing assistance. For local nonprofits, the partnership with the Browns provides a boost in visibility: the Greater Cleveland Food Bank reported a 30% increase in monthly donors after the food drive, as fans who donated in December continued to support the organization. “The Browns don’t just give once—they help us build sustainable support,” said Lisa Torres, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. “Their platform brings attention to our work, which helps us serve more people all year.” For the Cleveland Browns, these long-term impacts align with their mission to be more than a football team: they want to be a partner in the community’s growth, helping to address systemic issues rather than just short-term needs.

Month of Giving Impacts Lives Positively Through the Cleveland Browns explores how the initiative shapes the team’s identity and strengthens its relationship with fans. For players, Month of Giving is a reminder of the responsibility that comes with being a Brown—using their platform to lift others up. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, who organized a private donation of 500 winter coats to a local shelter, said, “This team is part of Cleveland, and Cleveland is part of us. When we give back, we’re not just helping the community—we’re honoring the trust they put in us.” For fans, seeing players and staff volunteer alongside them creates a deeper connection to the franchise: a 2024 fan survey found that 78% of respondents said Month of Giving made them more likely to support the Browns, even during tough seasons. “I’ve been a fan for 20 years, but volunteering at the food drive with Joel Bitonio made me feel like part of the team,” said Mike Torres, a season-ticket holder. “It’s not just about wins and losses anymore—it’s about being part of something that makes Cleveland better.” For the Cleveland Browns, this emotional connection is invaluable: it turns casual fans into lifelong supporters and reminds the team that their greatest legacy won’t be on the field, but in the lives they’ve impacted.

Month of Giving Impacts Lives Positively Through the Cleveland Browns closes with a reflection on why the initiative matters—for the community, the team, and the city’s future. In a city that has faced economic challenges and disinvestment in some neighborhoods, Month of Giving is a symbol of hope: it shows that when the Browns and their fans come together, they can create real change. The stories from 2024—Lila getting a warm coat, Mr. Carter having a heater for the winter, kids getting to play football with new gear—are testaments to the power of collective generosity. As Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said at the closing event of Month of Giving, “Football is important, but it’s nothing compared to helping a family have a happy holiday or a kid feel like they belong. That’s the work that lasts.” For the Cleveland Browns, Month of Giving isn’t just an annual event—it’s a promise to the community: win or lose, the team will always show up for Cleveland. And for the community, that promise is why the Dawg Pound doesn’t just cheer for the Browns on Sundays—they stand with them, all year long.