Tampa, Fla. (May 5, 2011) --- The Warrick Dunn Family Foundation (WD-FF), a public charity serving single-parent families in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Tallahassee and Tampa, rewarded two single mothers for becoming first-time homebuyers through its Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) program in the Tampa Bay area on Thursday.

Delilah Baez-Perez and her three boys were shocked to find their Lakeland home’s yard full of people. The Baez-Perez family would soon find out that they were the recipients of $25,000 worth of home furnishings and down-payment assistance made possible through a contribution from E*TRADE Bank, a subsidiary of E*TRADE Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: ETFC) through the HFTH program in honor of Mother’s Day.

“I was delighted to be part of this special day representing E*TRADE,” said Scott Bever, Regional Manager, E*TRADE Securities. “As a leader in online financial services, E*TRADE is dedicated to empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures and committed to investing in the communities in which it serves. We support the Warrick Dunn Family Foundation because it honors parents who have demonstrated a commitment to achieving financial independence and stability for themselves and their families.”

Warrick Dunn, former NFL running back, started HFTH during his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to honor his late mother’s dream of homeownership. Betty Smothers, a Baton Rouge police officer, was killed while working an after-hours security shift when Dunn was an 18-year old high school senior. Since 1997, HFTH has rewarded 42 mothers and one single father in the Tampa Bay community by working with various housing agencies, including Habitat for Humanity chapters representing communities in the Tampa Bay region.

Delilah Baez-Perez’s home presentation marks the first time WD-FF partnered with Lakeland Habitat for Humanity to reward a single parent for reaching the American Dream of first-time home ownership.

“Delilah is my hero,” said Claire Twomey, CEO of Lakeland Habitat for Humanity. “She loves her children and is the most deserving of this gift. In my 11 years with Habitat for Humanity, I have never seen someone work harder, under such difficult circumstances. I am proud to stand with the Warrick Dunn Family Foundation and recognize Delilah for her efforts.”

Another first for WD-FF at the Baez-Perez home presentation was modifying the home with therapeutic enhancements to accommodate for its two youngest inhabitants. After Baez-Perez’s seven-year-old twin boys were diagnosed with autism, she was left to take care of the children alone. While Baez-Perez would love to be employed full-time, her priority is making sure her boys are in a safe, stable environment. WD-FF reached out to the Doris A. Sanders Learning Center in Polk County, where the two young boys attend school, to make sure that the home had the proper amenities.

“The staff of Doris A. Sanders Learning Center was proud to be asked to collaborate to meet the unique needs of Luis and Yeriel,” said Debra S. Peavey, Principal of the school. “They are special boys and we are excited for the family.”

Later that afternoon, WD-FF, led by Warrick Dunn, made another surprise visit at the new home of a single-parent family. Zulmali Gonzalez’s three-bedroom, two-bathroom home was completely furnished with furniture from Aaron’s Inc. (NSE: ANN), HFTH’s corporate partner. Sponsors across Tampa Bay invested in the future of this family by providing home décor and resources. Advanced Investment Partners, LLC partnered with WD-FF to provide a $5,000 down payment through a grant to Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, Gonzalez’s homebuilder. The Bank of Tampa provided the décor for the family’s living room, Kevin & Jeanne Milkey of St. Petersburg hosted Ms. Gonzalez’s bedroom, The Junior League of Tampa provided the furnishings for Gonzalez’s 16-year-old son’s bedroom and Tech Data helped fill the pantry.

Gonzalez, a customer service representative at JP Morgan Chase, worked diligently to complete the 250 sweat equity hours required by Pinellas Habitat for Humanity. While other Habitat homebuyers are able to rely on a large social circle and/or family to help complete this requirement, Zulmali did much of the volunteering on her own, logging 150 hours. She would visit the build site as often as she could, even on her way to and from work, to thank the other volunteers for their efforts.

As Dunn led Zulmali through her newly furnished home, she kept asking, “Is this really happening?” Zulmali also gushed that it was the happiest day of her life. Her father, who was equally surprised, was in town from Puerto Rico. “Today was an emotional day,” said Warrick Dunn. “It is always a pleasure to be back in Tampa, especially when I am able to help two deserving and strong single mothers. Today is an honor to my mother, who won’t be with me on Mother’s Day. Homes for the Holidays helps my siblings and I honor her legacy.”

To date, WD-FF and its sponsors have rewarded 103 single parents and 274 children and dependents in Atlanta, Ga., Baton Rouge, La. and Tallahassee and Tampa, Fla. for achieving the American Dream of purchasing their first home.