Browns players support Shoes and Clothes for Kids through the Cleveland Browns Foundation.

This past Wednesday afternoon, the Cleveland Browns Foundation partnered with Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K) to continue the organization's support of the Back to School campaign by visiting 40 preschool students, ages 3-5, at Merrick House, one of SC4K's 35 distribution sites.

Lineman Joel Bitonio, linebackers Karlos Dansby and Keith Pough and long-snapper Christian Yount read a Dr. Seuss book to the students and participated in coloring and art activities all with the message of encouraging the young students to remain enthusiastic about their learning throughout the summer and upcoming school year. The presence of the Browns in the community is a common occurrence as part of the Browns *First and Ten movement, where everyone is encouraged to give ten hours to help their community. For the players and team, volunteering and encouraging educational engagement is extremely important.

"Education is a central focus of the Cleveland Browns Foundation and through this program, students are provided with necessary items they may not otherwise have access to," said Renee Harvey, vice president Cleveland Browns Foundation. "Our goal is to make sure these students go to school equipped with the proper tools and are prepared to learn."

After engaging with the students, players packed boxes of new clothing and shoes that will be provided to SC4K's distribution sites throughout Greater Cleveland. These distribution centers provide some of these children with the opportunity to own something new for the first time.

In its eighth year, the Cleveland Browns Foundation and SC4K have partnered for the Back to School Campaign to raise awareness of kids' needs for new shoes and clothes in the Greater Cleveland area, with the goal of increasing donations to provide children shoes, clothing and learning supplies as they return to school.

The Cleveland Browns Foundation also presented SC4K with a $12,500 grant, which can provide new shoes and further support education for approximately 1,400 Greater Cleveland youth.

Providing these brand new items to children throughout the school year and summer months is essential to their confidence and success. In order to provide these resources year round to children in need, SC4K relies greatly on the support of donors including individuals, foundations and corporations.

Yount said, "It's great to be able to make someone's days while getting the word out about these great programs and organizations that we support so everyone knows what's out there and how they can help give10 and give back to their community as well".

About Cleveland Browns Foundation:
The Cleveland Browns Foundation is dedicated to a solution-based, holistic approach to ensure Northeast Ohio youth receive the development and education they need as a foundation for independence and success. For more information, visit ClevelandBrowns.com/foundation or follow @brownsgiveback on Twitter.

About Shoes and Clothes for Kids:
Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K) is the only non-profit organization in Greater Cleveland providing new shoes and clothes at no charge throughout the year to thousands of children in need. Through a network of 35 distribution partners, SC4K positively impacts the lives children by giving them the self-esteem and confidence that comes from having brand new shoes and clothes. Founded in 1969, SC4K in 2014 will distribute new clothing and Payless shoe gift cards with a retail value of more than $2.4 million to 25,000 children from income-eligible families throughout Greater Cleveland. SC4K continues to be a fiscally responsible organization with $0.92 of every dollar going to the children the group serves.  For more information, log on to www.sc4k.org, or follow SC4K on Twitter @sc4k.

*In 2015, The Browns are continuing their commitment to #give10 this offseason after engaging the community throughout last season each Tuesday on the players' day off. Launched in June 2014, the Cleveland Browns First and Ten campaign is the team's community program, established to inspire fans to volunteer in and help their communities throughout the world by volunteering for 10 hours each year. Through First and Ten, the Browns are the only NFL club to promote a long-term volunteering program that unifies the team and its entire fan base, with the goal of impacting every individual's city across the globe, as well as the franchise's local community. To pledge your First and Ten commitment, click here http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/community/firstandten.html