Warrick Dunn, who retired from the NFL in 2009 after an outstanding career with Tampa Bay and Atlanta, was in Eatonton Sep. 27, for the presentation of a brand-new Habitat for Humanity (HFH) home built by Harper Custom Construction on the city’s west side.
Dunn was no celebrity stand-in, though. He was representing Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) established in 1997, and its Homes for the Holidays program partnered with Aaron’s Company to provide complete home furnishings and basic supplies for a true, readyto- move-in experience for the new homeowners.
The Eatonton build represents the 203rd home furnished through WDC.
“I think I relate to this from my own challenges growing up, the challenges that my mom had, but also understanding more about family issues and creating stability for families. And this is just another part of the steppingstone up,” Dunn said.
“I know this is an opportunity to really change the course of their lives. They’ve worked hard to put themselves in this position. So, I’ve just been blessed enough to be able to help push them along.”
Mike Woodyard, an Aaron’s regional manager based in Milledgeville, said it was “very gratifying” to see real evidence of the contributions made by his company and co-workers, to whom he gave all the credit for setting up and installing three bedrooms worth of furniture, plus a complete living-room suite including a large, flat-screen TV, full laundry facilities and a modern kitchen outfitted with matching appliances.
“I think the experience of just seeing the emotions of the family and the positive impact that we were able to be a part of to help support the work done by the charities was phenomenal,” Woodyard said. “And you know, seeing everyone’s faces all smiles, I mean, changing lives. I feel like that’s the best part of all this. It’s the best part of this business.”
Also on hand for the home-opening ceremony was Eatonton Mayor John Reid alongside his wife and city councilmember, Janie Reid.
“This is wonderful. We often see something like this on television and we sit back and say, ‘Wow, I wish this could happen to someone I know.’ Well, today it did happen to someone we know, and we are very excited about it,” Janie Reid said.
“Whenever I come out to a groundbreaking or a ribbon cutting, I always have a feeling of, ‘This is nice; this is awesome; this is Eatonton,’” she continued. “I’m excited for the homeowner because without a doubt they’re fulfilling their dream of home ownership, but I’m excited for the community as well because they (Habitat for Humanity) take something that didn’t have anything on it and make it a nice piece of property. That’s better for everyone in the whole neighborhood.”
Prior to entering the house for the big reveal, Dunn presented to new homeowner Mary, standing on the front porch alongside her MS-afflicted daughter Britannica, the keys to their new home, plus a $5,000 check to help with early mortgage payments or any lastminute moving expenses.
“These homes are not free,” stressed Putnam County Habitat for Humanity President and Board Chairman Bucky Kahl outside the house. “Habitat finances them and the homeowner recipients pay a mortgage just like anyone else. They’re also required to put in some work with Habitat to qualify. I remember seeing Mary at our Restore outlet (1027 Lake Oconee Pkwy., Eatonton) and she was very loyal to Habitat already with her sweat equity hours and just a very pleasant lady.”
Mary said when she and her daughter arrived at the house Tuesday morning, she thought it was for a last-minute inspection of a project she’s been anxiously watching come together for months. Instead, she was shocked to find dozens of people on the front lawn and a genuine NFL star opening the car door to welcome her.
That was her first big surprise. Her second came when Dunn handed her the oversized ceremonial check. Her third came when she finally opened the front door to a beautifully furnished, singlestory house that anyone would be proud to call “home.”
“I about passed out. Really, I couldn’t believe it,” Mary admitted later. “I feel so blessed and so thankful to everyone who worked so hard on this, I could never in a million years thank them all enough.
“We’re coming from a small apartment where we had to go up and down 18 stairs each way every day. It was really hard on my daughter, she needs a cane or a walker, so she hardly went out there. This will get her out more so she can have a more normal, a better life,” Mary said, her eyes welling with tears. “I wish my mom (deceased) and my sister in Texas could have been here to see this. I really, really can’t believe it.”
Habitat’s Kahl said he “wasn’t the least bit surprised” at Mary’s reaction, but still called it “the highlight of the day” for him.
“It’s overwhelming,” he said as the event was winding down. “My guess is that when it all settles down and Mary sits down on that couch in there, she’ll probably cry.”