Month of Giving Boosts Holiday Cheer Via the Cleveland Browns Efforts

As the holiday season arrives in Cleveland, the Cleveland Browns have once again launched their annual “Month of Giving”—a month-long initiative that brings players, coaches, staff, and fans together to spread joy, support local families in need, and strengthen the bond between the team and the community. What began as a small toy drive a decade ago has grown into a comprehensive campaign, with events ranging from food distributions and gift giveaways to hospital visits and youth mentorship sessions. This year’s effort, which kicked off in early December, has already touched thousands of lives, turning the stress of the holiday season into moments of hope for many Cleveland residents. Month of Giving Boosts Holiday Cheer Via the Cleveland Browns Efforts explores the key events of this year’s campaign, how players have embraced their roles as community leaders, and why these efforts mean just as much to the team as on-field victories. For the Browns, the Month of Giving isn’t just a PR initiative—it’s a chance to live up to their promise of being “Cleveland’s Team” in every sense of the word.

Month of Giving Boosts Holiday Cheer Via the Cleveland Browns Efforts starts with the campaign’s centerpiece: the annual “Browns Holiday Toy Drive & Gift Distribution.” This year, the team partnered with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and local nonprofit Toys for Tots to collect over 10,000 toys and 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food items. Players like Myles Garrett, Deshaun Watson, and Nick Chubb spent a Saturday morning at a community center in downtown Cleveland, helping sort toys, pack food baskets, and hand-deliver gifts to 200 local families. One heartwarming moment came when Garrett sat down with 7-year-old Lila, who had asked for a football-themed art set. “Seeing her face light up when she opened that gift? That’s why we do this,” Garrett said after the event. “Football is great, but being able to make a difference in a kid’s life—especially during the holidays—means more than any sack or touchdown.” The toy drive also included a fan component: fans who donated a new, unwrapped toy at FirstEnergy Stadium during a December practice received a free Browns-themed holiday ornament, encouraging community-wide participation. By the end of the day, the team had distributed enough toys and food to ensure every family in attendance could enjoy a festive, stress-free holiday.

Another highlight of the Month of Giving is the team’s annual “Hospital Visits,” where players and cheerleaders visit children’s hospitals across the Cleveland area to bring smiles to young patients who can’t be home for the holidays. This year, Watson and tight end Harrison Bryant spent an afternoon at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, reading holiday stories, signing autographs, and handing out custom Browns blankets and stuffed animals. For 10-year-old Tyler, who has been hospitalized with a chronic illness since November, the visit was a much-needed break from medical treatments. “He’s been talking about meeting Deshaun for weeks,” Tyler’s mom, Sarah, said through tears. “When Deshaun sat down and talked to him about football and his favorite games, Tyler forgot he was in a hospital room for a little while. That’s a gift we can never repay.” The players also brought along a portable photo booth, taking pictures with patients and their families to create lasting memories. Bryant, who has participated in the hospital visits for three years, said the experience reminds him of what’s truly important. “These kids are so brave, and their positivity is inspiring,” he said. “If we can take their minds off their struggles for even an hour, it’s worth every second.”

Month of Giving Boosts Holiday Cheer Via the Cleveland Browns Efforts also features a focus on supporting local seniors, who often face loneliness during the holiday season. The team partnered with Cleveland’s Council on Aging to launch “Browns Holiday Meals for Seniors,” a program that delivers hot, home-cooked meals and small gifts (like knit scarves and handwritten holiday cards) to 500 homebound seniors. Coaches, including head coach Kevin Stefanski, joined staff members to make the deliveries, stopping to chat with each senior and listen to their stories. For 82-year-old Mr. Thompson, who lives alone and hasn’t had family visit for the holidays in years, the delivery was a welcome surprise. “When Coach Stefanski handed me that meal and said, ‘From the Browns—we’re thinking of you,’ I almost cried,” Mr. Thompson said. “It’s nice to know someone cares, especially this time of year.” For the Cleveland Browns, this focus on seniors is a way to honor the team’s longest-standing fans—many of whom have supported the Browns through decades of ups and downs. “Our senior fans are the backbone of this franchise,” Stefanski said. “They’ve been with us through everything, and we want to make sure they feel loved and appreciated during the holidays.”

A unique part of this year’s Month of Giving is the “Browns Youth Mentorship Day,” where 50 local middle school students spent a day at the team’s training facility, learning about goal-setting, teamwork, and leadership from players and staff. The day included a tour of the facility, a football skills clinic led by Chubb and defensive back Denzel Ward, and a panel discussion where players shared stories of their own childhoods and the challenges they overcame to reach the NFL. 13-year-old Jamal, who dreams of playing football in college, said the day gave him the motivation to keep working hard in school and on the field. “Hearing Nick Chubb talk about how he struggled with injuries in high school but never gave up? That made me realize I can overcome my own challenges too,” Jamal said. The team also provided each student with a backpack filled with school supplies and a personalized note from a player. For the Cleveland Browns, investing in youth is an investment in the future of Cleveland. “These kids are the next generation of our community,” Ward said. “If we can help them believe in themselves and set positive goals, we’re not just making a difference today—we’re building a stronger Cleveland for tomorrow.”

Month of Giving Boosts Holiday Cheer Via the Cleveland Browns Efforts concludes with the impact of the campaign on both the community and the team. By the end of December, the Month of Giving will have supported over 5,000 Cleveland residents, from families in need to seniors and youth. But the impact goes beyond numbers: it’s in the smiles of kids opening toys, the relief of parents who no longer have to worry about holiday meals, and the connection between players and fans that extends far beyond the football field. For the Cleveland Browns players and staff, the Month of Giving is a reminder of why they play the game. “We’re lucky to have this platform, and with that platform comes responsibility,” Watson said. “Giving back to the community that supports us every week—it’s the least we can do. The holidays are about coming together, and that’s exactly what this month is all about.” For the Cleveland community, the Month of Giving is a testament to the Browns’ commitment to the city. In a year that has had its share of challenges, the team’s efforts have brought people together, spread joy, and reminded everyone that Cleveland is a city that cares. As the holiday season comes to an end, the memories of the Month of Giving will linger—proof that when the Browns and their fans work together, they can make a real, lasting difference.