Our Mission

Our mission at Brandon’s Heart and Sole is to take socks off the most wanted list at homeless shelters and for people in need.

Brandon’s Story

I hope Brandon’s story touches your heart, as Brandon has touched the lives of many. Some of you may be saying “who is Brandon?” (and others are saying… “there’s someone out there that doesn’t know Brandon?!!?”).

Brandon was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin, true friend and blessed child of God, loyal and trusted by all, taken too soon. He loved the outdoors and was seldom found inside unless it was sitting around a table enjoying a meal with family and friends.

At 5 years old we moved to Kinnelon, where Brandon had asked for a house with lots of trees to climb. He was granted his wish and could always be found in his treehouse, roaming the woods, building forts or seeing which tree he could climb highest. Throughout his childhood, he thoroughly enjoyed his time spent at church and youth group. As he grew out of climbing trees, he grew in to hanging out at church and helping at the youth office. He committed his life to Christ at a young age and his faith grew strong living as a faithful servant to his Lord and Savior.

While in high school, Brandon flagged down a logging truck passing by and offered to take the trees off their hands so he could split and sell for firewood. They gladly obliged, saving them a trip hauling it to PA. He went out and bought a Stihl chain saw, rented a log splitter and got the family involved in his little business. It was a nice side job for him… while it cost us 2 transmissions! Once Brandon graduated high school, he went from climbing trees to cutting them down for a local tree company. He stayed in the tree business for almost 10 years before moving on to the Operators Union Local 825, working at Koerner Crane. In his spare time he plowed highways in the winter, delivered hay from upstate NY to NJ horse farms, gave hay rides at his dear friend's farm in Wayne and was always up for mud bogs, country concerts, rodeos, county fairs or bon fires with friends.

As a young adult, Brandon continued to serve at church wherever needed, from taking out garbage to serving communion and everything in between. For Brandon, no job was too big... or too small. His love for Harleys had him involved in a biker’s ministry at church. His road trips on his bike are what most people dream of doing but never get around to. He’s seen more of the United States on his Harley in his 30 years than most have seen in a lifetime. His practice ride was a surprise visit to his grandma’s in Florida. He rode to his cousin’s wedding in Wyoming. He visited Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Four Corners Monument, Hoover Dam and California Redwoods, just to name a few. Grass never grew under Brandon’s feet.

His best friend was the one he was with at the moment. He always made you feel special, went out of his way to help a stranger and gave everything and everyone his all.

He purchased a beautiful home and was ready to live his dream of finding his special someone and having a large family. Unfortunately, God’s plan wasn’t the same. Just 3 months later, on his way to work, Brandon hit a deer on Rt. 80 with his Harley. He was then struck by a vehicle. And that driver never stopped.

We want Brandon’s loving, caring, compassionate heart to live on. One way we can do that is by collecting the one gift Brandon asked for every Christmas. And that gift was socks. We're hoping to warm the hearts and soles of those less fortunate in the New Jersey area. Thank you to those that have the same compassion and donate in Brandon’s memory.