At the final home game of the season as the Browns took on the Bengals, we honored one lucky fan as our First and Ten Coin Toss Captain. She was selected through a contest run on social media during 10 Days of Giving. All fans had the opportunity to join the First and Ten movement and share their story of why and how they give back to the community. Lisa shared her story on our website about how she chooses to give 10 hours each year back to her community by volunteering.
Lisa is from North Ridgeville and she was awarded for her commitment to others in the community and her love for the Cleveland Browns. This fall, Lisa was part of a team that raised nearly $7,000 at the Autism Speaks Cleveland Walk. This holiday season she and her husband adopted a family through their local community center to help make Christmas a little more special for them. Finally, she single-handedly donated nearly six large collection boxes full of unwrapped toys to a Toys for Tots collection at work to #give10 and support youth in Cuyahoga County.
"It feels good to know you are making a difference, even if it's just a small gesture."
Throughout the year she supports charities her friends and family are also involved in such as the American Heart Association, the Boy Scouts of America, St. Jude, and several local animal rescues and charities (in addition to Toys for Tots, Autism Speaks, and Adopt a Family for Christmas).
She is a dog lover and has attended several fundraisers this year for Love-a-Stray, Remi's Pet Recovery and Lorain County Dog Shelter. She donates to the food pantry at her local community center throughout the year too to make sure that families in need don't go hungry.
Her parents are very giving people and would go out of their way to do anything for anyone in need. That's where Lisa knows she got it from. Since she was young, she remembers her mom running around for everyone else and making sure everyone else was happy before worrying about herself - she still does this today!
She set the example that Lisa tries to live by. She has always enjoyed helping others and making others happy.
Her most meaningful volunteer experience was the Autism Speaks Walk as it is very personal to her since their team walks on behalf of her cousin, Nicholas, who is autistic. She knew very little about autism before Nicholas and it has taught her to be more patient and understanding of those with disabilities – 'you never know what someone is going through.
"She believes wholeheartedly that each person should do small things with great love."
Lisa was so excited an honored when she found out that she would be the next First and Ten Coin Toss Captain because she is part of a huge Cleveland Sports family. She has been watching the Browns since she was little and it's an undeniable part of her life as is giving back.
