Browns Give Back Wrap Up Second Annual ‘Month of Giving’ (12.31.24)
BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns held its annual ‘Month of Giving’ in December, impacting and raising awareness for over 66 community groups and organizations with the focus of giving back to the Northeast Ohio community during the holiday season. Throughout the month, 56 individual players and 244 volunteers from the Browns organization impacted over 1,500 members of the Northeast Ohio community through various events.
“Month of Giving” is an annual Browns tradition where Browns players, coaches and staff participate in special community events and made meaningful contributions to deserving organizations or individuals as part of the team’s yearlong commitment to promoting education, youth football and social justice.
“As we close out our second annual ‘Month of Giving’ and reflect on the impact we can all make in our communities through donating resources and time, we know how important it is to continue to give back year-round,” said Haslam Sports Group Vice President of Community Relations, Jenner Tekancic. “Though there is a strong emphasis throughout the month of December to enhance giving back throughout the holiday season our work at the Browns will always continue to uplift Northeast Ohio throughout the year in a variety of ways.”
The month was highlighted by various events, including annual player led events such as G Joel Bitonio’s Shop with a Pro at Meijer, S Grant Delpit’s Third Annual Community Christmas Celebration, S Rodney McLeod Jr.’s Fill-a-Cart at Meijer, DT Maurice Hurst II and the defensive line’s refurbishment at the City of Cleveland’s Lonnie Burten Recreation Center and K Dustin Hopkins’ Well Foundation event for children with special needs, all with the focus of uplifting the spirits of those in the community during the holiday season.
On December 16th, LECOM, the Cleveland Browns and Denzel Ward hosted leaders from the Cleveland MUNY Football League and athletes from the Garfield Heights’ 10u tackle team at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus to donate $5,000 worth of AEDs to the team’s program.
Huntington Bank joined in the Browns’ efforts this holiday season to support the Browns Giving Tree and matched the number of gifts the Browns employees purchased during the holiday season, totaling nearly 1,000 gifts to support kids in need here in Northeast Ohio.
In addition, the Cleveland Browns Foundation and its Stay in the Game! Attendance Network (SITG!) continued their efforts across Northeast Ohio to fight chronic absenteeism in schools and show appreciation toward educators in the community. During the ‘Month of Giving’, the Cleveland Browns Foundation hosted events for students and educators, including opening their sixth SITG! Room at Memorial Junior High School, hosting Gym Class Takeovers presented by Meijer and recognizing educators for their dedication to encouraging regular school attendance with the support of some of our partners including Huntington Bank, Ticketmaster and United Airlines.
The month also included special announcements, such as naming CB Denzel Ward the Browns 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, presented by Nationwide, and RB Nick Chubb the 2024 Browns Ed Block Courage Award Winner. Local community members were also honored with league awards throughout the month – Mac Stephens was named the Cleveland Browns High School Coach of the Year, presented by Ohio Cat, and Sheila Mason was nominated for the 2024 Jim Brown Inspire Change Changemaker Award.
For more information regarding the Browns’ “Month of Giving” festivities including full recaps and photos of all events, please visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/community/month-of-giving.
About Browns Give Back:
The Cleveland Browns are committed to championing youth football, education and social justice in our community and throughout Ohio. Browns Give Back is the Cleveland Browns initiative dedicated to supporting our fans and neighbors. For more information, visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/community.