Aaron’s, Cigna, Ryan “Jume” Jumonville, Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc. & Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties Present “Home for the Holidays” to Single Mother in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL – This morning a single mother celebrated the purchase of her first home after completing the Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties homeownership program. Through a partnership with Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco and Warrick Dunn Charities, the family was surprised to be greeted by Warrick Dunn, former NFL star, as they pulled up to their home dedication.
When she walked through the front door, LaToya was shocked to find each room filled with furniture, appliances and electronics from Aaron’s thanks to a donation valued at approximately $10,000. Aaron’s offers lease-purchase agreements so that customers who are budget or credit-constrained can own needed home merchandise like refrigerators, washers and dryers, beds and laptops.
The home furnishings were donated through a partnership between Aaron’s and Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc. (WDC), a national nonprofit founded in 2002 by retired NFL running back Warrick Dunn, which helps single parent families achieve homeownership. In addition to Aaron’s, and to truly make this house a home, all of the finishing touches, groceries, and down payment assistance were made possible through sponsorships from Ryan “Jume” Jumonville and a $10,000 donation from Cigna.
This morning, LaToya Reedy and her son AnTrez were surprised to see their new fully furnished home as part of the former NFL star’s Homes for the Holidays program. This is the 173rd home presentation nationwide thanks to Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc.
Prior to completing the Habitat homeownership program, LaToya and her teenage son lived in an overcrowded house with her family rotating who gets to sleep in the bed. Despite these difficult circumstances, LaToya is committed to caring for others, as evidenced by her work as a certified nursing assistant and over 350 sweat equity hours performed as part of the Habitat homeownership program. In addition to the home furnishing surprises, Warrick Dunn Charities presented LaToya with a $5,000 check for down payment assistance.
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and West Pasco Counties
In March 2019, the West Pasco and Pinellas County affiliates merged to formHabitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties. In total, the affiliate has severed more than 750 families in Pinellas and West Pasco Counties through its homeownership and home repair programs. Volunteers and future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. Candidates must demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat to invest 350 to 450 sweat equity hours. Mortgage monies are then used to build more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that homeownership contributes to family stability which leads to community stability. Additionally, the affiliate raises funds through their two ReStores: home improvement outlets where donated household and building items are sold to the public. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, call (727) 536-4755 or visitwww.habitatpwp.org.
Warrick Dunn Charities
Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc. provides hope and healing to communities through innovative programming inspired by our founder’s life journey. Since 1997, the Homes for the Holidays program has helped 173 single-parent families achieve first-time home ownership. Serving single-parent families nationwide, WDC and its partners have helped single parents to combat poverty and hunger and ensure families have basic necessities and comfortable surroundings in order to improve their quality of life. For more information, visit www.wdc.org.
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