Brandon Brauns was a caring, selfless boy. He organized holiday toy drives for Children’s Hospital patients and paired up with Skyhawks sports camps to present Kids Kickin’ 4 Kids benefit soccer events to raise money for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
He left his mark on his massive social group, spreading his message of giving to other children and adults alike, said his mother, Kris Forth.
“Whenever he got something, he would just give it away, because he thought that everybody else needed it,” said Marissa Rowley, 12.
Added Samantha Martin, also 12: “He just wanted to give to other people, and he just wanted to be with his friends and family.”
At the age of 11 on March 20, 2010, Bothell’s Brauns (pictured) died after a long battle with cancer after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of 3.
Forth feels good to be carrying on her son’s generous spirit with the Brandon’s Goal Foundation (a nonprofit formerly named Friend Helping Friends), which raises funds for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center ($35,000 in 2011), Seattle Providence Pediatric Hospice ($5,000) and a family support program they started at Children’s Hospital ($7,500). They have recently added Camp Korey (a free camp in Carnation for children with serious and life-altering medical conditions) to their list.
On Feb. 7, Forth brought Rowley, Martin and about 40 other friends and family members — many of whom help with the foundation — together at Brunswick Majestic Lanes in Lynnwood. The evening consisted of bowling, laughter, storytelling and plenty of hugs and tears of joy.
“These people work at our events every year: they’re donors, one of the people here spoke at Brandon’s service, so we want to one time a year have some type of event that just thanks them,” said Forth, whose son attended Shelton View Elementary in Bothell.
Forth lives in Mukilteo these days, but still has strong ties to the Bothell community. “We want to keep the foundation central to Bothell because that’s where (Brandon) grew up,” she said.
She’s still in touch with people in the Northshore School District, including Superintendent Larry Francois and Shelton View Principal Bob Jones, who were among many people touched by Brandon’s story and they endorse Brandon’s Goal Foundation fund-raisers that will be presented by several local schools.
As she looks at the crowd of people gathered at the bowling party, Rowley — who was Brandon’s best friend — smiles and says, “It’s fun, it brings back memories. It’s fun to see how many people supported him and were with him through his journey.”
Photo: Ashley Hughes flew in from New York to accompany her cousin, Brandon Brauns, at his Kickin’ 4 Kids benefit soccer camp July 15, 2009, at Soundview Playfield in Seattle. (Andy Nystrom photo)
