ATLANTA, Ga. (June 29, 2010)

Through its Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) program, the Warrick Dunn Family Foundation (WD-FF) rewarded two single mothers and their children for achieving financial independence though homeownership on Tuesday morning. In honor of Independence Day (July 4), both homes were completely furnished and had fully stocked kitchens. The foundation assisted with an additional $5,000 down payment as well, drastically lowering each one's monthly mortgage payment.

Warrick Dunn, former running back and Atlanta Falcons limited partner, started HFTH in 1997 during his rookie season in the NFL 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. As a single mother, Kimberly Crane has faced many challenges; however, with consistent effort and hard work throughout her life, she has achieved one of her long-time goals, owning her own home.

Crane has three adult children and lives with her 14-year old daughter. With assistance from Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, and a lot of hard work on her part, Crane and her daughter now have a place to call home. The new home has three bedrooms. The additional bedroom was furnished with bunk beds so that Crane’s grandchildren would have a place to stay when they visited. Crane is excited to prepare meals in her own kitchen and be able to tend to her own yard. Her new kitchen was fully stocked by Whole Foods Market and Aaron’s Inc. provided her with a trendy café table to serve meals in the kitchen area.

As the laundry and landscape host, DataScan Technologies supplied the family with a lawn mower, yard hose and cleaning supplies along with other lawn care and laundry necessities.

WD-FF supplied the family with all their cooking necessities from dishes and silverware to hand towels and cookware. There was also a personalized yellow towel that had “Kimberly’s Kitchen” embroidered on it. Her daughter, an upcoming junior, is involved in the JROTC program, and now has a room decorated in with colorful flowers in her favorite colors: pink, purple and turquoise.

Crane's home presentation was attended by Mayor Kasim Reed. "I applaud Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and Warrick Dunn for the phenomenal work they are doing to help Atlanta families achieve the American dream of homeownership. "Warrick is a person who continues to give, " Reed said. "He is helping the City of Atlanta to revitalize important neighborhoods in our community and making Atlanta a better place by providing stability for families."

After the Crane home presentation, another single mother was rewarded for her hard work and effort to provide a stable home for her family.

Dollethea Chandler, a single mother of four, has worked hard to provide for herself and her entire family with the resources needed to make a better life for themselves. Chandler believes that owning a home will motive her children by allowing them to see that, despite being a single mom, she can still achieve her goals. Warrick Dunn greeted the family as the car pulled up to the driveway. Chandler had no idea that Dunn would be there or that the house would be completely furnished and decorated.

As the Chandler family entered the new home, the youngest son exclaimed, "holy mackerel!" as the family caught the first glimpse of their home furnishings and decor. "We have never had nice things, " Chandler said through tears of joy.

The Chandler family’s new four bedroom home, built in partnership with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, is now equipped with everything that they will need, from furniture and linens to new toothbrushes for everyone. Whole Foods Market also supplied the house with a fully-stocked pantry.

The children’s rooms were decorated in blue plaid for the boys and Chandler’s 14-year-old daughter's room is a hip orange and purple scheme.

Chandler’s room was decorated in dark wood furniture and clean lines, creating a spa-like feel. Throughout the entire home reveal, escorted by Dunn, the family was overjoyed and grateful.

HFTH’s presenting sponsor, Aaron’s Inc., donated furniture ranging from beds and mattresses to dressers and dining room tables. The foundation also utilized volunteers to help shop for and decorate the homes to fit each family’s style.

To date, WD-FF and its sponsors have rewarded 99 single parents and 257 children and dependents in Atlanta, Ga., Baton Rouge, La., and Tallahassee and Tampa, Fla. for achieving the American Dream of purchasing their first home.

"My brother and sister are here with me today and we are honored to be able to share our mother's dream of homeownership with these families," Dunn said. "When I started this program in 1997, I didn't think I would make it to 10 and now we're at 99."