Month of Giving Wraps with Record Support from the Cleveland Browns

For the Cleveland Browns, the holiday season isn’t just about football—it’s about giving back to the community that has supported them through every win and loss. This year, their annual “Month of Giving” initiative—running throughout December—concluded with record-breaking participation, raising more funds, collecting more donations, and touching more lives than any previous year. What began as a small food drive in 2015 has evolved into a month-long effort spanning 20+ community events, from toy collections for underserved children to home renovations for military veterans. Month of Giving Wraps with Record Support from the Cleveland Browns explores the highlights of this year’s initiative, the team’s hands-on involvement, and the ripple effect of its success on Northeast Ohio. For the Browns, this isn’t just a PR campaign—it’s a promise to be more than a football team: a partner in lifting up the community that calls them their own.

Month of Giving Wraps with Record Support from the Cleveland Browns begins with the hard numbers that define this year’s success—stats that underscore the initiative’s growing impact. The Browns Foundation, which leads the Month of Giving, announced that this year’s effort raised \(750,000 in cash donations (up 30% from 2023) and collected over 120,000 pounds of non-perishable food (enough to feed 100,000 families for a week) and 25,000 toys (double the 2023 total). Key events drove this success: the annual “Turkey Trot & Food Drive” at FirstEnergy Stadium drew 5,000 participants, each donating a bag of food to receive a free Browns-themed turkey; the “Toys for Tots Rally” at a local Walmart saw players and fans fill 15 delivery trucks with gifts; and a online fundraiser, where the Browns matched every dollar donated up to \)100,000, raised $225,000 in 48 hours. “We set ambitious goals this year, but the community blew past them,” said Browns Foundation executive director Renee Harvey. “This support isn’t just about numbers—it’s about neighbors helping neighbors, and we’re proud to be a catalyst for that.”

Month of Giving Wraps with Record Support from the Cleveland Browns continues with the team’s hands-on involvement, which turned the initiative from a donation drive into a series of meaningful human connections. Players, coaches, and front-office staff participated in every event, skipping off-season workouts and family time to roll up their sleeves alongside community members. Quarterback Deshaun Watson spent a Saturday packing food boxes at a local food bank, joking with volunteers and posing for photos with families who stopped by to pick up supplies. Defensive end Myles Garrett hosted a “Veterans Home Makeover” day, leading a team of players and fans to repaint, refloor, and furnish the home of a Navy veteran who had fallen on hard times. Even head coach Kevin Stefanski joined in, reading holiday stories to children at a homeless shelter and helping wrap toys for the Toys for Tots drive. “Being here, face-to-face with the people we’re helping—it’s why we do this,” Garrett said during the home makeover. “Donations are important, but seeing a veteran’s smile when they walk into their new home? That’s the real win.” These moments of connection didn’t just make the initiative more impactful—they reinforced the Browns’ role as part of the community fabric.

Month of Giving Wraps with Record Support from the Cleveland Browns shifts to the stories of beneficiaries, whose lives were changed by the initiative—and who highlight why the Cleveland Browns’ commitment matters. Take Maria Lopez, a single mother of three who relied on the Browns’ food drive to put a holiday meal on the table this year. “I lost my job in October, and I was scared we wouldn’t have a Christmas,” Lopez said. “Then I came to the food drive, and they gave us a turkey, sides, and even toys for the kids. The players took time to talk to my son, who’s a huge Browns fan—it made him feel so special. This isn’t just food and toys; it’s hope.” Another beneficiary, Army veteran James Wilson, was overwhelmed by the home makeover led by Garrett. “I’ve lived in this house for 20 years, and it was falling apart—I couldn’t afford to fix it,” Wilson said. “When the Browns showed up with paint and tools, I cried. They didn’t just fix my house—they fixed my spirit.” For the Cleveland Browns, these stories are the heart of the Month of Giving. They’re a reminder that the team’s impact extends far beyond the football field, touching lives in ways that wins and losses never could.

Month of Giving Wraps with Record Support from the Cleveland Browns delves into fan participation, which was a driving force behind this year’s record numbers. Browns fans didn’t just donate—they volunteered, fundraised, and spread the word, turning the initiative into a community-wide movement. Local businesses joined in: a Cleveland bakery donated 10,000 cookies to be included in food boxes; a car dealership offered free oil changes to anyone who donated a toy; and a group of Browns Backers clubs from across Ohio organized a “Donation Road Trip,” driving 500 miles to drop off supplies at 10 different food banks. Even fans who couldn’t attend events contributed: a 92-year-old lifelong Browns fan mailed a $1,000 check to the foundation, writing in a note, “The Browns have given me joy for 70 years—I wanted to give back.” For the Cleveland Browns, this fan support is a testament to the unique bond between the team and its community. “We don’t do this alone,” Harvey said. “Our fans are our partners in every sense. They’re the ones who turn our initiative into something extraordinary.”

Month of Giving Wraps with Record Support from the Cleveland Browns wraps up with the long-term impact of this year’s success—and the Browns’ commitment to building on it. The foundation announced that a portion of the funds raised will go toward launching a year-round “Community Food Pantry” at their Berea training facility, which will distribute food to families in need every month, not just December. They also plan to expand the veterans’ home makeover program, aiming to renovate 10 homes in 2025 (up from 3 this year). “This year’s Month of Giving showed us what’s possible when we all work together,” said Browns team president Paul DePodesta. “We’re not going to stop here. We want to make giving back a year-round part of who we are, not just a holiday tradition.” For the Cleveland Browns, the Month of Giving isn’t just a wrap—it’s a new beginning. It’s a promise to keep showing up for the community, to keep listening to its needs, and to keep proving that football is more than a game. In the end, Month of Giving Wraps with Record Support from the Cleveland Browns is a story about community—about a team and its fans coming together to spread joy, hope, and kindness. And that’s a legacy that will last long after the holiday season ends.