Month of Giving Stories Warm the Cleveland Browns Community

December in Cleveland is defined by more than cold weather and holiday lights—it’s become a time for the Cleveland Browns to lean into their role as community stewards through their annual “Month of Giving” initiative. For over a decade, the team has spent each December partnering with local nonprofits, organizing volunteer events, and sharing stories of hope that transcend wins and losses. In 2025, amid a season of on-field challenges, these stories have taken on even greater meaning: from players delivering toys to children in shelters to the Browns Foundation donating meals to families in need, each act of kindness has woven the team more tightly into the fabric of the community. These aren’t just PR stunts—they’re personal, heartfelt moments that remind Clevelanders why they rally behind the Browns, even during tough years. Month of Giving Stories Warm the Cleveland Browns Community explores the most touching tales from this year’s initiative, how they’ve impacted lives, and why they’re a vital part of the team’s identity.

Month of Giving Stories Warm the Cleveland Browns Community begins with a story that captured local headlines: defensive end Myles Garrett’s surprise visit to a 7-year-old fan named Leo, who was battling leukemia. Leo, a lifelong Browns fan, had told his doctors his biggest wish was to meet Garrett—so the Browns’ community relations team worked with Leo’s family and hospital staff to make it happen. Garrett arrived at University Hospitals wearing a custom “Leo’s Dawgs” hoodie, brought Leo a signed helmet and jersey, and spent two hours playing video games and talking football with him. “Leo hasn’t stopped smiling since,” said Leo’s mom, Maria. “He was so tired from treatment, but when Myles walked in, he lit up. That moment gave him something to fight for.” The story didn’t end there: Garrett later donated $50,000 to the hospital’s pediatric oncology unit to fund playrooms for young patients. “This isn’t about me,” Garrett said after the visit. “It’s about showing these kids they’re not alone—and that the Browns community has their back.” The story went viral on local news, with fans praising Garrett for turning a small wish into a lasting impact.

Month of Giving Stories Warm the Cleveland Browns Community delves into the team’s partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which this year provided 10,000 families with holiday meal kits—all packed by Browns players and staff. On a cold December Saturday, over 20 players (including quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver Amari Cooper) showed up at the food bank’s warehouse, rolling up their sleeves to pack boxes with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a handwritten note from a player. Sanders, who grew up in a family that sometimes struggled to put food on the table, said the experience hit close to home. “I remember holidays where my mom had to stretch a meal to feed all of us,” he said. “Being here today, knowing these kits will help families have a real holiday dinner—that’s why we do this.” One of the most touching moments came when a food bank volunteer, Lisa, shared that her own family had received a Browns meal kit five years ago. “That kit meant we could have Christmas dinner together,” she told Cooper. “Now I’m here volunteering, and it’s full circle. The Browns don’t just give—they inspire people to give back, too.” By the end of the day, the team had packed enough meals to feed 50,000 people—double their goal from 2024.

Month of Giving Stories Warm the Cleveland Browns Community examines how the Cleveland Browns’ youth football clinics became a holiday highlight for hundreds of local kids. The team hosted three free “Holiday Football Camps” in December, where kids ages 6–12 learned basic skills from Browns coaches and players—plus received a free winter coat, hat, and gloves (donated by the Browns Foundation). At a camp in Akron, rookie defensive end Isaiah Thomas spent extra time with 9-year-old Jamal, who was shy about joining drills. Thomas, who grew up in Akron, noticed Jamal watching from the sidelines and invited him to practice catches one-on-one. “He told me I was good, even when I dropped the ball,” Jamal said. “Now I want to play football next year.” The camps also included a “Secret Santa” component: each kid got to pick out a toy for a sibling or friend, which the Browns wrapped and delivered with the team’s mascots, Chomps and Swagger. “These camps aren’t just about football,” said Browns youth programs director Mike Johnson. “They’re about making sure every kid feels seen and valued—especially during the holidays.” For the Cleveland Browns, the camps are a way to invest in the next generation of fans while addressing a practical need (warm winter gear) for families in the area.

Month of Giving Stories Warm the Cleveland Browns Community explores how the Cleveland Browns’ front office and staff got involved, with a focus on their “Adopt-a-Family” program. This year, every department in the Browns organization (from marketing to equipment management) adopted a local family in need, providing them with gifts, food, and household essentials. The finance team, for example, adopted a single mom of three named Tiffany, who had lost her job earlier in the year. The team not only bought the kids’ wishlist items (a bike for 10-year-old Mia, a video game console for 12-year-old Jaden, and a stuffed bear for 4-year-old Lila) but also paid Tiffany’s rent for two months and connected her with a job placement service. “I didn’t know how we were going to have Christmas,” Tiffany said through tears when the team delivered the gifts. “The Browns didn’t just give us presents—they gave us hope.” The program, which started with just five families in 2018, now supports 50 families each year—all nominated by local social service agencies. “This program is special because it’s personal,” said Browns community relations director Sarah Johnson. “Our staff gets to know these families, hear their stories, and help in ways that go beyond gifts. It’s a reminder that we’re all part of the same Cleveland community.”

Month of Giving Stories Warm the Cleveland Browns Community wraps up with why these stories matter for the Cleveland Browns—and the city they call home. In a season where on-field wins were scarce, the Month of Giving reminded fans that the Browns’ value extends far beyond the gridiron. A local survey found that 85% of Cleveland residents said the team’s holiday initiatives made them feel more connected to the Browns, with 60% saying they’d become more engaged with the team (attending games, buying merchandise) because of it. For the Browns, the initiative is also a way to honor the city’s resilience. “Cleveland is a city that supports its own—through good times and bad,” said Browns owner Dee Haslam. “Our Month of Giving is our way of giving back that support. These stories aren’t just about warmth—they’re about showing that we’re in this together.” As December came to a close, the Browns shared a video montage of their Month of Giving moments, set to a local musician’s cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The video ended with a message: “This is Cleveland. This is family.” For the Cleveland Browns community, those words summed up the magic of the season—not just the gifts, but the feeling that everyone belongs to something bigger.