Aaron's and Former NFL Star Warrick Dunn Celebrate 200th "Home For The Holidays" Surprise

Entering its 25th year, Warrick Dunn Charities' "Homes for the Holidays" program rewards single parents who are actively working to achieve first-time homeownership by alleviating the additional financial burdens that can come with establishing a new home. While the houses themselves are constructed and financed through Habitat for Humanity, the surprise comes when the families discover they are fully furnished and stocked by Aaron's, in addition to receiving $5,000 in down-payment assistance from Warrick Dunn Charities and its sponsors.

"Milestones are marked by numbers, but it's impossible to quantify the impact this program has had on the 200 families that have benefitted over the last quarter century," said Douglas Lindsay, CEO of The Aaron's Company. "We take so much pride in this longstanding relationship with Warrick and salute him and his team on this incredible accomplishment."

The 200th surprise was delivered to lifelong Los Angeles resident Fellicia and her 13-year-old son. A program coordinator with the Salvation Army, she has worked tirelessly during the pandemic to give back to the community, providing essential food and clothing to those in need. Prior to securing her new home through Habitat for Humanity, Fellicia and her son shared a bedroom in a cramped apartment.

"Since football has given me the platform to make this program a reality, it felt appropriate to deliver this 200th surprise in Los Angeles the week of the 'big game,' with the eyes of the world watching," said Warrick Dunn. "With the support of Aaron's, we have helped 200 families take meaningful steps toward breaking the cycle of generational poverty, so I am immensely grateful for their support of my life's work and excited for the benchmarks to come in the future."

After initially launching in markets where Dunn starred during his playing days - namely Baton Rouge, LA., Atlanta, GA., Tallahassee and Tampa, FL. - the "Homes for the Holidays" program expanded nationwide, with recent recipients in cities as varied as Dallas, TX., Phoenix, AZ., Charlotte, NC, and Detroit, MI.