Warrick Dunn Charities and Partners Surprise Family with Holiday Home, Former NFL Player Welcomes Atlanta Family Into Fully-Furnished Home.

ATLANTA (December 7, 2015) – Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC), in collaboration with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Aaron’s Inc. UPS, and Sonja Strayhand Interior Design, work together to surprise first-time homebuyer Aissa Gardner, a hardworking mother of three, by providing down-payment assistance and fully furnishing her home for the holiday season.

Warric Dunn, former National Football League (NFL) all-pro running back began Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) in 1997 during his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. HFTH was created in honor of Dunn’s late mother, Better Smothers, a Baton Rough police officer who was killed during an after-hours security shift, while seeking out her dream of homeownership.

Homes for the Holidays is a program designed to support single parents that are first-time homebuyers. HFTH has served 146 single parents and over 400 dependents in 14 cities across the country.

HFTH continuously works toward assisting single parents on their quest to homeownership by providing low to moderate income first-time homebuyers with home furnishings as well as a completely stocked kitchen and pantry, to combat poverty and hunger.

In addition, support services such as education, financial literacy and health and wellness are developed in order to promote sustainable futures.

Aissa Gardner was in disbelief, as she walked into her new home. Over the past week, WDC and volunteers have spent countless hours to completely furnish and fill the Gardner home, which is in Atlanta Habitat for Humanity build. Interior Designer, Sonya Strayhand also assisted with the Atlanta project, lender her hand for a designer’s touch. “I am very excited to donate my interior design services to Warrick Dunn Charities to help provide this family with a beautiful home during this special holiday season” said Sonja Strayhand, President of Sonja Strayhand Interior Design and Contract Furnishings. Volunteers pitched in from companies, COUNTRY Financial and Shaw Industries – a Berkshire Hathaway Company which also donated gifts for the family.

In addition to fully stocking and furnishing her home, Gardner received $5,000 provided by UPS which covers her down-payment and reduces her monthly mortgage.

Aiissa first learned about Warrick Dunn Charities from Warrick Dunn himself, who frequents her job at a local grocery store, not long after learning of Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program through her children’s school.

Although she never expected to become a Homes for the Holidays recipient, Aissa’s desire to provide her children with a safe and stable environment has turned a dream into a reality. Aissa works three jobs to provide for her family and makes time to volunteer. “We are thrillled that we could spread joy to this family, especially during the holiday season. We are honored to have great partners and volunteers. Together, we support a dream for The Gardner Family.” said Warrick Dunn, Founder of Warrick Dunn Charities.