Warrick Dunn Helps Three Families Move into Their First Homes

Every few months the Tampa Tribune has an article about a single parent moving into his or her first home. These new homeowners are able to do so through the generosity of former football star Warrick Dunn and his "Homes for the Holidays" project. This month three families received $5000 for a down payment on their first homes. Warrick Dunn's story is worth telling.

Warrick Dunn grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the oldest of six children. His mother, Betty Smothers, was a single mom who worked as a police officer and other off duty jobs to support her family. Betty's dream of owning her own home was never realized. She was killed in the line of duty when Warrick was a senior in high school.

In 1997, Dunn was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At this time he began his Warrick Dunn Foundation's "Homes for the Holidays" program in the Tampa Bay area. In 1998 the program was extended to his home town of Baton Rouge. When he went to play for the Atlanta Falcons in 2002, the program spread to Atlanta. It now exists in Tallahassee, Florida as well. Dunn returned to the Buccaneers in 2008 where he retired in February of 2009.

"Homes for the Holidays" was established to provide home ownership opportunities for single parents. These single parents have to demonstrate that they are committed to achieving financial independence and stability. The program provides the down payment on a house associated with an approved, non-profit home ownership program such as Habitat for Humanity. The foundation also works with two sponsors, Prudential Tropical Realty and Aaron's Sales and Lease ownership, to provide furniture, appliances, linens, kitchen supplies and other necessities for each new house. So far the program has helped over 86 single parents realize their dream of home ownership.

Two of the three families to receive down payments recently moved into houses built on lots that were once the site of a prisoner-of-war camp in Pasco County, Florida. These houses were built by Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco. One family is a mother, her daughter and grandson. The other recipient is a single mother of two young girls. Warrick Dunn presented each mother with the key to her new house.

In these days of over-paid and over indulged athletes it is refreshing to read about one who is giving back to his community. The Tampa Bay community is fortunate to have Warrick Dunn. He has honored his mother's memory in a generous manner and she would be very proud of him.

Sources: 1. Pasco Tribune (section of Tampa Tribune) article by Geoff Fox

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrick_Dunn

2. http://www.warrickdunnfoundation.org/content/view/13/28/