The all-Cleveland Browns registered club has been raising money for local non-profit organizations and watching Brown’s football games since the club closed its Dunkirk club location in 1999 and moved to Jamestown. The group now has 50 members who meet each week at Waddington’s Tavern in Falconer.

“There’s more than 300 different Browns Backer charter locations across the United States and 14 different countries,” said Paul Lombardo, club president and a Post-Journal columnist. “In 2010 we started giving donations to the Cleveland Browns Foundation, and in 2011, the Browns Foundation gave a donation to the St. Susan Center for $2,000. So, we figured we’d start donating locally too.”

According to browns-backers-of-jamestown-ny, the club is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable, non-for-profit organization, and has contributed $500 each year to help support the Browns Backers Worldwide Grant Foundation and has been annually donating $500 to the St. Susan Center. Since 2005, the Jamestown chapter has been responsible for $32,000 being donated to help various groups.

“We’ve expanded our fundraising efforts and contributions,” said Lombardo. “This year we donated $500 to Children’s Collaborative Solutions, $500 to the Jack Waddington Fund, $500 to the Browns Foundation, $250 to The Allen Park Women’s Club and $250 to the Finn’s Furever Feline Rescue, a local business started by a 12-year-old-young man who, with his mother, in their home, do whatever to help cats receive care and affection, and a possible home in their community, along with our traditional $500 donation to the St. Susan Center. The mission of the Browns Backers of Jamestown, NY is to get together with other fans of the Orange and Brown and to cheer on the “Dawgs” each week. We have a traditional “Go Browns” shot before each game.”

Jackie Benson, president of the Allen Park Women’s Club, accepts a $250 check from Browns Backer Buzz Montagna.

Lombardo said he is proud of the club members and he was amazed at all the hard work they put into raising funds for the local non-profits the Backers backed this year.

“We’re a group of Browns fans who have a love for our community and the Cleveland Browns. We’re a family of 45 people who get together with other fans of the orange and brown to cheer on the ‘Dawgs’ each week. We want to meet as many Browns fans as we can from our area and from other Browns Backers groups from all over the country. Many of our members have attended games in other Browns Backers venues while on vacation, and we have hosted Browns fans from other chapters as well when they were in our area,” he said.

For more information visit browns-backers-of-jamestown-ny.yourwebsitespace.com or their Facebook page, Browns Backers of Jamestown, NY.

Caleb and Jacob Weimer assist Kim Touhey in the presentation of $250 to Finn Laska, the 12-year-old founder of Finn’s Furever Feline Rescue, a group to help rescue and care for stray and hungry cats.

Browns Backers from left Buzz Montagna, George Benson, Dewey Thomas, present a $500 check donated to the Browns Foundation.

Browns Backer Dew Thomas, right, presents a $500 check to Chad Waddington, executor of the Jack Waddington Fund.

Three generations of Weimer Browns Backers and Fans representing the Weimer family presented a $500.00 check to St. Susan Center. From left are Caleb Weimer, Jacob Weimer, Sandy Weimer, T. J. Weimer, and Cherie Rowland, St Susan Center director.