Warrick Dunn grew up as the oldest of six children, living in a single-parent family home. His mother, Betty Smothers, was a police officer who often worked as an off duty security guard to provide for her family. Her goal was to one day achieve the American dream of owning her own home. Tragically, On January 7, 1993, Betty was ambushed and killed by armed robbers.
Just two days after Warrick’s 18th birthday, he became the head of his family and raised his siblings. The community created a memorial fund for his family in honor of his mother. With this fund, Warrick was able to provide for his younger siblings and attend FSU.
With Warrwick’s remarkable running style, athleticism, incomparable drive and personality, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy selected him in the first round of the 1997 draft as the twelfth overall pick.
During his rookie season in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Warrick made it a point to become a vital part of the community and established his charity “Homes for the Holidays.”
This program is a way for Warrwick to extend his mother’s dream to other single parents working towards first-time homeownership. Recently in Arizona, a single mom got the gift of a lifetime, one heck of a housewarming gift from Warrwick. He partnered with Aaron’s furniture to furnish the home completely. He even stocked the pantry and left a $5,000 check to help Castillo with her mortgage payments.
Homes for the Holidays, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity affiliates, homeownership programs, National Football League (NFL) teams and corporations to provide down-payment assistance, food and home furnishings complete with appliances, furniture in every room, electronics, home décor, kitchen supplies, linens and lawn equipment to ease the expense of new homeownership. Program support services address nutrition, education and financial literacy. To date, Homes for the Holidays has made a difference for 100-plus single parents-along with more than 300 children.
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