Officials at Macomb County Habitat for Humanity told a single mother of four they had a surprise waiting at her home Tuesday morning.
“When I was pulling up all I could say was, ‘Jesus,’” said Cieara, who arrived at her Habitat home in Roseville to find an entourage of reporters, photographers, film crews, county officials, business leaders, volunteers and Warrick Dunn, a former NFL running back for the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, waiting for her.
Dunn greeted her and the children first.
Then he escorted Cieara and the kids to the front porch of the cute three-bedroom home she helped build as a Habitat partner and presented her with a $5,000 down-payment assistance check courtesy of Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) Inc. The help is part of the charity’s “Home for the Holidays” program that Dunn started in 1997. Tuesday’s stop in Roseville was one of 193 other single-parent homes that he has visited nationwide.
“This never gets old,” said Dunn, shortly after arriving at the home. “All of them are different. Every reaction is different.”
One reaction, however, that emerges with every homeowner is tears of joy.
“I’m so thankful for everyone here,” said the mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service to the crowd gathered on her front lawn. “This has been such a long – process.”
She applied for the program when she was married and then again after becoming single. During that time her credit went up and down, which also impacted her eligibility for the Habitat program. Now, several years later, because of her perseverance and determination she and her children have a new home and new furniture in every room.
That was the second surprise they encountered after walking through the front door.
That’s when the tears began to fall.
“Oh my gosh, this is amazing,” Cieara said, as Dunn pointed out all of the wonderful items that had been donated in order to make her house a home including $10,000 worth of furnishings from Aaron’s and numerous appliances, dishes, toys, cleaning supplies, food and numerous other items provided by the WDC and other benefactors including Dunn’s friend, Ryan Jumonville.
The home itself was also built by Habitat and funded by Thrivent Financial, which has contributed more than $1.8 million to Macomb Habitat homes to go with hundreds of hours in volunteer time.
Even the kitchen table was set for dinner – and in the center of it all was an apple pie – serving not only as a symbol of the American dream of home ownership but as a tribute to Dunn’s mother, who worked as a police officer in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, raising six children on her own and always hoping to save enough money for a home.
“Apple pie was her favorite,” said Whitney Jackson, executive director of the WDC.
In January of 1993, Dunn’s mother was ambushed and killed in the line of duty.
“Thrust into the role of head of the household, Warrick used his mother’s life insurance to purchase a home for his younger siblings. In the midst of the tragedy, Warrick was also being heavily recruited as a senior out of Catholic High School to play football,” according to information provide by WDC.
Eventually, he chose to fulfill his mother’s dream and play for Florida State University, where he managed to become one of the best running backs in Seminoles history, while also playing parent to his siblings from afar. Continuing to defy the odds, Dunn was drafted in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and went on to be named NFL Rookie of the Year by Football News, Pro Football Weekly and Sports Illustrated, and was designated Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press.
When he retired from the NFL he was 14th in all-purpose yards with 15,306 and 19th in rushing yards with 10,967. He was a rookie with Tampa Bay when he founded the Homes for the Holidays program and has since added three additional programs dedicated to strengthening and transforming communities by combating poverty, hunger and improving the quality of lives for families academically, socially and economically.
Dunn told the crowd gathered for the surprise unveiling his mother never got the chance to become a homeowner, adding he lives out her dream with every single-parent that he helps. Since its inception, Homes for the Holidays has furnished 194 homes, provided more than $800,000 in down-payment assistance and served more than 457 single parents and children including one other Macomb County mom.
“We are blessed,” said Helen Hicks, president and CEO of Macomb Habitat. “This is the second home that was selected by this charity. There’s a certain comfort level in that as it shows we work well together.”
“It’s really a great what he’s doing – giving back to people who have challenges,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, who was among the guests invited for the big surprise.
He said the experience reminded him of the single mother in Armada who received a new home and furnishings courtesy of ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeovers.”
“I’m a mother and I’m very grateful for the life I’ve been able to provide for my children,” said Maria Silamianos, who serves on the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
“For me – being able to see another mom’s dream come true – it’s just wonderful,” Silamianos added, while wiping the tears from her eyes.
One person who was happy for the family and the neighborhood was Anthony Vacante.
“It’s been kind of quiet on this street,” said the retiree who lives next door. “It will be nice to hear the laughter of children again.”
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