A former NFL great recently surprised a single mother and her daughter with a brand new home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but it was just one of 217 other such blessings that Warrick Dunn has managed to fund.
The collaborative effort by Warrick Dunn Charities, Habitat for Humanity, and Catholic High School where Dunn himself graduated, saw the house built, furnished, and stocked with food.
“Dominique and Miracle, single mother, first-time homeowner, I think it’s important to help change the community and the environment, create stability for a family that could potentially have good long-term positive impacts,” Dunn said, upon returning to his hometown to welcome the family.
Catholic High School raised $85,000 for the house.
“A new home, a new, fresh start, a new beginning—I’m totally blessed,” said Dominque after walking into the new home for the first time, worried dreadfully about her makeup running for all the crying she knew she’d be doing.
Sheets were already on the bed, and food was already in the fridge. The mortgage was there on the dinner table for signing, with Dunn’s charity alongside it to help with the down payment check.
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Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1997, Dunn launched Homes for the Holidays to honor his late mother’s dream of owning her own home that same year.
An extremely consistent performer, in 12 seasons Dunn missed only 10 games, made the Pro Bowl team on 3 occasions, and in all but two seasons accumulated over 1,000 all-purpose yards for the Buccaneers and the Falcons. When he retired, he ranked 14th in NFL history for all-purpose yards (15,306).
In 2005, Dunn was presented with the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. This award is the only NFL award that recognizes a player for his community service as well as for his excellence on the field.
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In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Dunn challenged all NFL players, except for those who play for the New Orleans Saints, to donate at least $5,000 to the effort. The effort received over $5 million in contributions.
According to Dunn’s website, which has become the home of all three of his charitable organizations, the program partners with local community organizations to reduce the burden on new, single-parent homeowners by fully furnishing their new house, providing downpayment assistance checks, and stocking the pantry with food.
WATCH the moment Dominque first walked into her home…
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Thank you, Warrick Dunn, for giving families a chance to accumulate wealth. What you have helped do will affect generations of families in a positive way.