Community rallies to help Mason family secure wheelchair-accessible van

Press release from SupportNow

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gainesville community is coming together to support Lashaunda and Alonzo Mason, a family deeply committed to advocating for individuals with disabilities, as they work to secure a wheelchair-accessible van for their two sons, both born with cerebral palsy.

With three boys, two of whom require wheelchairs, traveling as a family has become a near impossibility. Outings currently require the use of two separate vehicles, with one son always traveling alone, making every trip emotionally and logistically difficult for the entire family.

Lashaunda and Alonzo must also manually lift their sons’ wheelchairs into a non-accessible minivan, a process that places significant physical strain on them.

The need for a wheelchair-accessible van is urgent, as their youngest son faces an upcoming hip surgery in March. This van would not only ease the physical burden on the Masons but also allow them to travel together as a family for the first time in years.

Lashaunda and Alonzo are pillars of the disability community in Gainesville. They both work tirelessly to serve others, from their advocacy efforts in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classrooms to their roles in rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities for adults with disabilities. Their dedication to empowering individuals with disabilities is at the core of their family’s mission, and now they need their community’s help.

“This is an opportunity for Gainesville to show its heart,” said Abby Zachritz, campaign organizer. “The Masons have dedicated their lives to helping others in the disability community, and now we have the chance to support them in their time of need.”

The fundraising campaign is hosted on SupportNow, an all-in-one support solution designed to reduce overwhelm for families in major life moments. Supporters can contribute directly to help the Masons purchase the wheelchair-accessible van, send gift cards for essentials, and share their story to rally even more community support.

How to Help:

• Donate: Contributions can be made through the Mason Family’s SupportNow registry: Accessible Van for Mason Family.
• Share: Spread the word on social media and with friends and family to amplify the campaign.
• Follow Updates: Lashaunda and Alonzo will share updates on their journey toward securing the van on their registry page.

Let’s rally together as a community to make safe and accessible transportation a reality for the Mason family. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful impact on their lives.