Warrick Dunn Foundation welcomes family to their new home

On a rainy Tuesday morning, Warrick Dunn Charities Founder, Warrick Dunn, warmly welcomed a family to their new home just before Thanksgiving.

A crowd of 40 people, including various media outlets, gathered outside a two-story home in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood to witness this heartwarming moment. The collaboration between Warrick Dunn Charities and Habitat for Humanity made the dream of homeownership possible for the family, marking the 220th home celebration for the charity.

Warrick Dunn, accompanied by his 86-year-old grandmother from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and his 15-year-old nephew, expressed his joy at the occasion. The recipient, a single mom with two children, now has a forever home. She moved to Atlanta in 2006 and works full-time for an insurance company. During the welcome home ceremony, she expressed her gratitude to Dunn and representatives from Habitat for Humanity, Aarons, and others for their assistance in making this dream a reality.

Through the joint program, Homes for the Holidays, families earn their homes but also receive support from charitable donations by various organizations. Warrick Dunn humorously remarked about his grandmother enjoying the porch, provided with furniture by Aarons.

The home’s furnishings, including patio furniture and major appliances, were donated by Aarons, with the contribution valued at $10,000, according to Kendall Jacobs, senior director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for Aarons and a Warrick Dunn Charities board member.

Jacobs emphasized the significance of providing a “hand up, not a handout,” echoing Warrick Dunn’s philosophy. The family was not only given a fully furnished home but also received a $5,000 down payment check from Warrick Dunn Charities. The kitchen was stocked with food and appliances, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the new homeowners.

Warrick Dunn, known for his achievements as a star running back at Florida State University and in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, expressed the importance of teamwork and acknowledged the collaborative effort that made this day possible. The ‘Homes for the Holidays’ celebration on Tuesday marked the 62nd such event in metro Atlanta for Warrick Dunn Charities, highlighting their ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the community.