Ally and BraunAbility Donate Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle to Local Family during School Football Game Ceremony

Ally and BraunAbility® joined together to surprise the family of a local high school student with cerebral palsy with a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for secure transportation

News provided by

Ally Financial

Oct 21, 2016, 08:30 ET

GROTON, Mass., Oct. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial and BraunAbility joined together to donate a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to a student and his family during Groton-Dunstable High School's last football game of the season today. Inspired by the family's story, Ally and BraunAbility collaborated with local dealership MobilityWorks to provide the family with a new, reliable vehicle.

The companies presented a 2016 BraunAbility Dodge side-entry wheelchair van to Chamberlain "Lain" MacDonald and his parents during a surprise ceremony at the beginning of the game's third quarter. Lain is a sophomore at the school, excels academically and is known as #49 on the football team. Born with cerebral palsy, he has endured five surgeries to improve motor function, but remains quadriplegic and dependent on his wheelchair as a sole method of independent transportation. Lain's parents, Charity and Kirk MacDonald, were concerned for the security and reliability of their current vehicle, on which the family of five – including Lain's two younger sisters – relies.

"We were inspired by the MacDonald family's story and dedication to not only their son, but their entire community and the well-being of others in similar situations," said Greg Walters, director of strategic alliances at Ally. "With the vehicle donation from Ally and BraunAbility, the family can now be secure in their primary transportation method and relieved of financial concerns regarding the vehicle."

Ally, BraunAbility and MobilityWorks representatives were onsite for the surprise, and Lain's family, team and schoolmates gathered.

"Many of us take for granted automotive independence — the ability to get in your car and go," said Greg Kiser, vice president of sales at BraunAbility. "Until now, every trip Lain and his family took needed a back-up plan and a prayer. We know this wheelchair-accessible vehicle will change their lives and allow them to continue to positively impact their community."

About Ally Financial Inc.
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a leading digital financial services company and a top 25 U.S. financial holding company offering financial products for consumers, businesses, automotive dealers and corporate clients. Ally's legacy dates back to 1919, and the company was redesigned in 2009 with a distinctive brand, innovative approach and relentless focus on its customers. Ally has an award-winning online bank (Ally Bank Member FDIC), one of the largest full service auto finance operations in the country, a complementary auto-focused insurance business, a growing digital wealth management and online brokerage platform, and a trusted corporate finance business offering capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies.

The company had approximately $157.9 billion in assets as of June 30, 2016. For more information, visit the Ally press room at http://media.ally.com or follow Ally on Twitter: @AllyFinancial

About BraunAbility
BraunAbility is the world's leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles and wheelchair lifts in the mobility industry. Founded nearly 50 years ago by Ralph Braun, the corporation was built on the age-old adage, "Necessity is the mother of invention." Ralph Braun was a young man who used a wheelchair and had no reliable transportation to and from his place of work. He built his first wheelchair accessible vehicle in 1972, and since then the company has grown into the most well-known and trusted name in the mobility industry, bringing independence to millions of individuals across the world.

About MobilityWorks
MobilityWorks (aka WMK, LLC) is a Cleveland, Ohio-based Inc. 500 company that employs specially trained Certified Mobility Consultants to work closely with its clients to understand their specific transportation needs in finding the right vehicle solution. Founded in 1997 with one location, MobilityWorks has been recognized on the Inc. 500|5000 list of Inc. Magazine's fastest growing privately held companies for the past ten years. MobilityWorks Commercial is the largest provider of commercial wheelchair vans in the country. TransitWorks, located in Akron Ohio, is the manufacturing division of WMK, LLC and is Ford Motor Company's largest mobility upfitter. Learn more about MobilityWorks at www.mobilityworks.com.

Media contact:
Desirée Chavis
646-781-2544
[email protected]

SOURCE Ally Financial