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NFL star Warrick Dunn with I’Keirra in the living room of her brand-new home. EMME CLAUSE/Staff -
Barbara holding her $5,000 down-payment assistance check from the “Homes for the Holidays” program from Warrick Dunn Charities. EMME CLAUSE/Staff -
I’Keirra’s young daughter was delighted with her brand-new bedroom, made complete with a slide attached to her bed. EMME CLAUSE/Staff
A Habitat for Humanity (HFH) home represents stability, connection, and love. It is a place for new beginnings and making lifelong memories with family and friends.
Last Tuesday, two Putnam families, led by single moms I’Keirra and Barbara, were blessed with new homes and new starts of their own.
Built near downtown Eatonton, these homes marked the 222nd and 223rd home celebrations supported by Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) nationwide. WDC is the former NFL star’s non-profit organization that identifies single parents across the country and helps them achieve their goal of first-time homeownership as part of its “Homes for the Holidays” program.
New HFH homes are earned and financed through Habitat for Humanity and Aaron’s, working with WDC, provides $10,000 worth of home furnishings, turning an empty shell into a move-in ready dream home on day one. The family’s preferences are taken into consideration to further personalize the experience.
Additionally, WDC delivers a $5,000 down-payment assistance check and ensures the home is fully stocked, with additional assistance from Ryan Jumonville.
“At Aaron’s, we have been extremely fortunate to support Homes for the Holidays for over 20 years. The relationship with Warrick Dunn Charities is one of our longest-standing partnerships and one we take so much pride in, as the ability to help first-time homeowners is at the core of what we do day in and day out,” Aaron’s General Manager Billy McNeese said.
“For Aaron’s, this donation isn’t just a dollar figure. It’s contributing to the lifelong memories that will be made inside this home. So, thank you again to Warrick for allowing us to be a part and play such a pivotal role in this game-changing program, and congratulations,” McNeese added, gesturing toward new homeowner I’Keirra.
I’Keirra had been living in an overcrowded home with extended family members and her two-year-old daughter. She has worked diligently to improve her family’s circumstances by simultaneously holding a job as a pharmacy tech and attending nursing school. I’Keirra said she is determined to build a successful foundation for her daughter.
“I just want to say thank you all for coming out and enjoying this day with me. It’s a very special moment for me and my daughter, and I love all of y’all,” I’Keirra said.
Eatonton Mayor John Reid attended the first HFH ceremony of the day and pointed out, “If you’ve been to a Habitat for Humanity (opening) before, you know my words are, ‘It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,’ and that it is.
“This particular time is very special to me because I’ve been knowing this young lady since she was born. She grew up right across the street from me, so I’ve seen her every day of my life,” Reid said.
Dunn said he feels passionate about helping others start their journey with home ownership.
“I lost my mom when I was a senior in high school. I was 18 years old, the oldest of six. My mom only made $36,000, while raising six kids, being a Baton Rouge City Police Officer. She was gunned down in the line of duty, and our life changed,” Dunn shared. “But being the oldest, I understood and knew what she wanted for us, and that is homeownership.”
Barbara works two jobs to support her 18-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter, who previously were living in a trailer with her.
She had reached out to Habitat for Humanity two years ago for an opportunity to own a home and give her children a better life, so moving day represented the culmination of a long journey with a happy ending.
“Stability, creating an environment that we can call home, and today is just another great example of Barbara doing the things that she needs to do to put herself in a position to create stability for her kids,” Dunn said. “And I’m just, I’m honored that you went down that path, that you pushed yourself to the match, and this is only the beginning, and I want to congratulate you for being home, our 223rd home.”
Both HFH homes were built by longtime partner Harper Custom Construction, and Pastor Michael Smith blessed both homes before the families entered their brand-new living spaces.
To become a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity, applicants must meet certain criteria, including they must need a home, being Putnam County residents for at least two years, meeting financial criteria, and doing 250 hours of volunteer work called “sweat equity.”
They can volunteer by building their own home, working at Habitat’s ReStore, or helping with Habitat’s classes. Learn more about local HFH initiatives and opportunities at putnamcountyhabitat.org.