Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community

Each December, the Cleveland Browns transform their off-field focus into a “Month of Giving”—a series of community events designed to support local families, lift spirits, and strengthen the bond between the team and the Northeast Ohio community. What began as a small toy drive a decade ago has grown into a month-long initiative, with players, coaches, staff, and fans coming together for food distributions, holiday parties for kids in need, and volunteer projects at local shelters. For a community that’s stood by the Browns through highs and lows, the Month of Giving isn’t just about charity—it’s about shared purpose, turning the team’s platform into a force for good and uniting people around common values of kindness and support. Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community isn’t just a seasonal tradition; it’s a reflection of the team’s commitment to being more than a football franchise—it’s a neighbor.

Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community kicks off each year with a “Turkey & Toy Drive” at the team’s training facility, where players and fans donate non-perishable food items and new toys to benefit local food banks and children’s hospitals. This year, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and edge rusher Myles Garrett led the charge, greeting donors at the facility’s entrance and posing for photos with families who dropped off contributions. “The best part is seeing fans of all ages come out—kids bringing their favorite toys to share, grandparents dropping off canned goods they’ve been saving,” Sanders said. “It’s a reminder that we’re all part of the same community, and we’re stronger when we help each other.” The drive collected over 10,000 pounds of food and 5,000 toys, which were distributed to 20 local organizations, including the Cleveland Food Bank and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community because this kickoff event brings fans and players face-to-face in a non-football setting, creating genuine connections that go beyond game-day cheers.

Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community also includes “Player Visits” to local shelters and senior centers, where players spend time with residents, share stories, and bring small gifts to brighten their holidays. Running back Nick Chubb is a regular at these visits, often stopping by the Cleveland Christian Home (a shelter for homeless families) to read to kids and help wrap presents. “Last year, a little girl told me she wanted a dollhouse for Christmas, and we were able to give her one,” Chubb recalled. “Seeing her face—there’s no better feeling. These visits aren’t just about giving gifts; they’re about making people feel seen and loved.” Cornerback Denzel Ward visits senior centers, playing cards with residents and listening to their stories about watching the Browns in the 1960s and 70s. “The seniors have so much wisdom to share, and they love talking football,” Ward said. “It’s a two-way street—we give them joy, and they give us perspective on what it means to be a Brown.” Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community because these one-on-one interactions break down barriers between athletes and residents, showing that the team cares about the community’s most vulnerable members.

Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community features a “Holiday Party for Kids” at FirstEnergy Stadium, where 500 children from low-income families are treated to a day of games, crafts, and a visit from Santa Claus—with players serving as Santa’s helpers. This year, the team decorated the stadium’s club level with holiday lights, set up a cookie-decorating station, and organized a mini football clinic where kids got to throw passes to Sanders and catch balls from Cooper. “Watching the kids run around the stadium, laughing and playing—this is what the Month of Giving is all about,” said Browns chief community officer Dustin Fox. The Cleveland Browns also gave each child a backpack filled with school supplies and a holiday gift, donated by local businesses and team sponsors. “My son has been talking about this party for weeks,” said Maria Gonzalez, a mother of two who attended. “To see him high-five Myles Garrett and get a gift from Santa—it’s a memory he’ll never forget. This team doesn’t just play for us; they care about us.” Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community because this party creates joy for kids who might otherwise go without holiday cheer, while bringing fans closer to the team in a festive, inclusive setting.

Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community also encourages fan participation through “Volunteer Days,” where fans sign up to work alongside players at community projects. This year, over 200 fans joined Sanders, Garrett, and other players to pack meal kits at the Cleveland Food Bank, assembling 15,000 meals for families facing hunger. “Working side-by-side with fans—passing boxes of food, laughing, talking about the season—it’s a great way to connect,” Garrett said. “They’re not just fans to us; they’re teammates in giving back.” The Cleveland Browns provide volunteers with branded t-shirts and snacks, and after the project, players host a short Q&A session, answering questions about the season and thanking fans for their support. “I’ve been a Browns fan my whole life, but working with the players at the food bank made me feel like part of the team,” said volunteer Mike Peterson. “It’s not every day you get to pack meals with Myles Garrett and talk about his favorite sacks.” Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community because these volunteer days turn passive fans into active contributors, strengthening the sense that everyone has a role to play in supporting the community.

Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community wraps up with a “Gratitude Night” at a local restaurant, where team executives and players host a dinner for community leaders and volunteers, thanking them for their year-round work. This year, Browns owner Dee Haslam spoke at the event, highlighting the impact of the Month of Giving—from feeding 25,000 families to bringing joy to 1,000 kids. “The Month of Giving isn’t just about what the Browns give—it’s about what we all give together,” Haslam said. “It’s about unity, about remembering that we’re stronger when we lift each other up.” The Cleveland Browns also presents “Community Impact Awards” to local individuals who’ve made a difference, with this year’s winners including a teacher who runs a free tutoring program and a veteran who organizes food drives for homeless vets. Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community because this closing event honors the community’s unsung heroes, reinforcing that the team’s success is tied to the community’s success.

Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community is more than a seasonal tradition—it’s a core part of the team’s identity. In a world where sports can sometimes feel disconnected from real life, the Month of Giving reminds everyone that the Browns are part of the fabric of Northeast Ohio. It’s not just about football; it’s about showing up, caring, and working together to make the community a better place. For fans, players, and residents alike, the Month of Giving is a reminder that unity isn’t just a word—it’s an action, one that starts with a toy drive, a visit to a shelter, or a day of volunteering. Month of Giving Events Foster Unity in the Cleveland Browns Community because it proves that when a team and its fans come together for good, they can create lasting change—and that’s the kind of winning that matters most.