Warrick Dunn Delivers Holiday Dreams

DADE CITY, Fla. -- April Harrelson is like a lot of single parents, meaning her life isn't easy.

She's 33 and a mother of three, working as a receptionist at a doctor's office in a small town about 40 miles north of Tampa. Occasionally, she takes on a second job to help provide for sons Ethan, 11, Loghan, 8, and Brandon, 18, a nephew she adopted 13 years ago. Somehow she still finds time to serve as a scout-troop leader. Builds a mean camp fire.

"I do what I have to do for my kids," Harrelson told FanHouse. "It's not their fault their lives have become what they have become. It's not their fault their father and I got divorced."

So, it goes without saying, earlier this year was a big deal when Harrelson, as a first-time home-buyer, qualified for an interest-free mortgage through Habitat for Humanity.

"We have moved five or six times in the last couple of years," she said, "but could never seem to settle anywhere."

She gladly filled the required sweat-equity hours that qualifiers must contribute to the construction process. Brandon pitched in, too. Finally, move-in day was set. Harrelson was notified she would take ownership next week.

Housing officials did, however, ask that she accompany them for an early walk-through on Tuesday.

And that's when the strangest thing happened.

Harrelson arrived to find Warrick Dunn, the former NFL running back, standing in her new front yard.

"Do you know who I am?" the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer asked. "Do you know why I'm here?"

Harrelson, pictured right, started to cry.

That was an affirmative.

"I had heard about his foundation and what he has done," Harrelson said later. "When I seen him, it hit me."

What Dunn does is make it possible for single parents to move into new homes. He provides a $5,000 down payment, and, with the help of local merchants, makes sure the homes are furnished and equipped with furniture, appliances, kitchen tools, lawn equipment, cleaning supplies and food.

He started the Tampa-based Warrick Dunn Foundation 12 years ago after the Buccaneers drafted him out of Florida State. Dunn did it to honor his mother's memory.

She was Betty Smothers, a single mom of six and a Baton Rouge, La., police officer killed in the line of duty in 1993 at age 36, never able to afford a home for her family.

Dunn's "Homes for the Holidays" now has provided a start for 90 single parents and 243 children in Tampa, Atlanta, Baton Rouge, and Tallahassee, Fla.

"It never gets old to watch," foundation director Jennifer Maxwell said.

This week it was so nice Dunn did it twice. In addition to Harrelson, 24-year-old Rashawn Harris -- the father of a 6-year-old daughter who works full-time and attends the University of South Florida -- became the second dad in the foundation's history to be selected.

"I was blessed to have people in my life who taught me the importance of helping others in need," Dunn said. "I did not grow up with many material things, but I was surrounded by the love of my family, friends and coaches. My mother worked overtime to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. Although we did not have much, she taught me how to give of myself and to be generous to those in need."

"I was blessed to have people in my life who taught me the importance of helping others in need."
-- Warrick Dunn Dunn, who rushed for almost 11,000 yards and 49 touchdowns during a career in Tampa Bay, Atlanta and back to Tampa Bay before being cut earlier this year, picks the families himself. Single parents who are also first-time home owners are nominated by WDF housing partners and must have completed required pre-qualifications, such as financial literacy and sweat-equity hours, to be eligible for consideration.

Dunn then studies each parent's situation and past efforts before making the decision himself.

"Walking down the street you see common, everyday people going about their daily lives, working hard to make ends meet," Dunn says. "Look closer and you will see their hardships and responsibilities.

"The mother on the street holding her toddler in one arm as she waits for the city bus so she can take her child to daycare and then go to work. The lady at the grocery store checkout counter with three kids in tow having to put items back because she just does not have enough money to cover the bill.

"Look even closer and you will see the pride in their eyes that they are doing everything they can to provide for their children. These are the people I feel most compelled to help."

When Harrelson and her family entered their home this week, 8-year-old Loghan was thrilled to find an oversized teddy bear in his bedroom. His brothers were excited to find the refrigerator full of food.

Dunn chose them.

"I don't know why," Harrelson said. "Maybe he read my story and thought this seems like a good girl. She's working her butt off and taking care of her boys and doing what she needs to do to provide for them.

"That's what single parents do, I guess. They do what they have to do to provide for their kids. Since I've gotten my divorce, things have been rough. We've gone without certain things that we wanted, or even needed. I don't want my kids to go without. Maybe he realized I'm a strong woman and that good people deserve great things.

"And what he does is a great thing."

Actually, Dunn will tell you he's only helping those who are trying to help themselves.

Harris (pictured cutting ribbon with Dunn) wants to one day go to law school. For the time being, he's a full-time undergraduate student while working as a cost mitigation associate for an auto finance company. He put in more than 400 sweat-equity hours to qualify for his new home through Habitat for Humanity.

"I decided to step up and take responsibility and raise my daughter," he said, explaining the quest for home-ownership.

Just what Dunn likes to hear.

"I can relate to Rashawn's struggle," Dunn said. "I am in awe because he is stepping up and doing more than is expected of someone in his position. What could be better than helping someone who is helping himself?"