COLONY, Texas -

BraunAbility and Ally Financial recently joined together to donate a wheelchair accessible vehicle to a Dallas-area student and his family. The companies were inspired by the efforts of the local Colony, Texas, community, which has rallied together over the last few months to support student Brian Bravo and his family’s need for more suitable mobility equipment.

The companies presented a BraunAbility Dodge Rear-Entry to Bravo and his family during a ceremony at Colony High School last Friday. The van will allow for Brian to more easily travel with his family. 

The ceremony served as a way to thank the school and the local community for their Bravo4Brian fundraising efforts, collecting $25,000 for the Brian Bravo Trust Fund. The fund was created in support of Bravo, who suffered a brain injury in a 2005 auto accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

With the vehicle donation from BraunAbility and Ally, officials said the trust funds can be used for other ongoing expenses, rather than for the vehicle purchase.

In addition, local mobility dealer United Access is installing a tie-down device to secure Bravo’s wheelchair, and will also pay for one year of insurance on the vehicle.

Huffines Dodge/Chrysler has offered to donate a maximum care coverage extended warranty on the vehicle.

BraunAbility also presented its inaugural Spirit of Ability Award to Colony High School basketball coach Cleve Ryan, who helped establish the Brian Bravo Trust Fund and motivated the school and community to help raise money for a new wheelchair van. The award recognizes that just one person has the ability to make a difference in the lives of people with physical disabilities.

“The van, the extra monetary support, the rallying around a family who needed it — none of that would have happened without the first person saying, 'Maybe we could do something,’” said Greg Kiser of BraunAbility. “Ralph Braun, our founder, lived that same spirit when he built the first motorized scooter and first wheelchair lift. He built an industry and proved just one person can make a difference, and we celebrate people who do the same.”

Added Tim Russi, president of auto finance for Ally, “The story of support around Bravo4Brian is nothing short of inspiring, and Ally is honored to be able to help make a difference for Brian, his family and the Colony community.”

For more information on Bravo4Brian, visit this website.