Dad dies in crash after organizing gift-giving event for homeless kids, reports say

A charitable business owner died following his eighth year organizing a Christmas gift-giving event for homeless children, Ohio reports say.

Brandon Johnson was the owner of Team Johnson Charter Buses and Limo, a Toledo-area business that announced his death Friday, Dec. 6.

The Toledo Blade said Johnson crashed at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and died about two hours later from “multiple blunt force injuries.”

He had just left the Family House shelter in Toledo, according to WTVG. Johnson had passed out toys to children and offered one of his buses for the kids to view Christmas lights, the publication reported.

The day before, he shared a photo on Facebook thanking the 40-plus volunteers who helped shop and wrap presents for the children prior to the event.

Other gifts provided to families during the nearly decade-long event included “money for rent, a trip to Florida and paying off cars,” WTOL reported.

“Each year he would choose families in need to receive a Christmas miracle. His kindness and selflessness touched many lives,” his obituary said.

Mavillino Homes, a construction company that worked with Johnson for his Holiday Giveback program, said he made an “indelible mark on the community.”

“His kindness and unwavering support uplifted countless lives, and his legacy will forever inspire us,” the company said.

Johnson was also a father of four, according to his obituary, which described the 44-year-old as “the absolute coolest dad.”

“He loved nothing more than to spend time with his family and put a smile on other people’s faces,” his oldest child, Landon Johnson, told WTVG. “He truly lived every day with joy and was everything you could ask for and a ton more of a father.”

This story was originally published December 10, 2024 at 11:18 AM with the headline "Dad dies in crash after organizing gift-giving event for homeless kids, reports say."