The Holidays are always a special time. However, it can also be the most difficult for some. Every year, there are initiatives taken around the city to give back & provide holiday cheer to those who may need it most.
Over here at I’m From Cleveland, we feel that shining a light on those actions fits right into our mission of showcasing why the city is full of such great people.
Also, we know we missed a lot! Please feel free to send us information about others who we should highlight for making a difference! We would love to include as many as we can.
Ricky Smith
Ricky is active giving-back to the community pretty much 24/7 all-year-round. It's no surprise that he has continued doing so during the 2020 holidays. Above is just ONE example of his recent work. He teamed up with Cricket Wireless to bring some presents, good vibes, and cash to one of [his] biggest supporters who needed a pick-me-up.
Check out more of what Ricky has been up to on his Instagram
Larry Nance
The Cleveland Cavaliers' big has recently announced that he will be sporting a piece of apparel by local businesses to each game this year. He is also going to sell his worn jersey from each game, match the the price it sells for, and donate that amount to the business he is supporting that night.
Larry chose The Grog Shop for the very first game. This is a local venue very dear to our hearts, as we have thrown many of our favorite exclusive events there.
Baker & Emily Mayfield
The couple teamed up with Meijer and BODYARMOR to provide thousands of holiday gifts for all of the kids and their family members at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. Baker & Emily personally delivered the first batch of presents to the Cleveland Club.
Mz Skittlez & Pooh Gutta
Mz Skittlez & Pooh Gutta teamed up together to provide thousands of dollars worth of gifts for families who lost a parent to gun violence.
Jedrick Wills
Calling it Jedrick’s Winter Blast, Browns’ OT Jedrick Wills this week surprised a woman with a new car, paid the rent for a year for a family that lost its home in a house fire, and spread $50,000 worth of toys, gifts and cash to five Cleveland-area families. pic.twitter.com/tdZulT3SrB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 24, 2020
Sgordon
In his 4th year of doing a Santa Claus giveaway, Sgordon gave away 1,000 toys to the city of Cleveland. He also donated $1,000 to multiple single mothers to help them during this time.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army branches provided gifts to 4,600 children in the greater Cleveland area for their "Rescue Christmas" campaign.
Garden Valley Neighborhood House
About 3,000 toys were donated to Anton Grdina Elementary School in Cleveland’s Garden Valley neighborhood.
Click here for Fox8's coverage
Carol and John's Comic Book Shop
Their annual art show benefits the Cleveland Food Bank. Last year's festivities brought in enough donations for 14,000 meals. They're hoping to exceed that this year.
First Responders At Norman Walmart
Each family selected for the shopping program receives at least $500 to shop and is accompanied through the store by a sheriff’s office employee and a Walmart “elf.” Families are also gifted a Christmas turkey meal from the Alameda Church of Christ.
Stuff The Truck
The toys will be given away throughout December to Cleveland-area families in need, as part of an annual partnership between the Cleveland Police Foundation and Skylight Financial Group. Financial donations can be made online, and the Skylight team will go shopping at Target in Steelyard Commons to buy items on wish lists for families referred by A Special Wish, which serves children facing serious health challenges. Please make sure to note “Cleveland Toy Drive” when making a donation.