Bucs legend helps three single mothers become homeowners
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Warrick Dunn helped three single mothers achieve their dream of homeownership Tuesday, ensuring his local legacy spans generations.
The former Florida State University and NFL star again teamed up with Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside to surprise three families as they pulled into their new driveways. Before the day ended, Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) completed its 232nd Homes for the Holidays celebration, and 61st in Tampa Bay.
Dunn began his philanthropy in the area to honor his late mother, Betty Smothers. A single parent to six kids, Smothers was shot and killed at the age of 36.
“This is a dream my mom had, and if I could do more than the three in a day, we would probably try to do that,” Dunn told the Catalyst. “I hope my mom would be proud that years later, I actually followed some of the things she was trying to teach me.”
Tuesday marked the first time in over a decade that WDC has surprised three families in a day. The celebrations began that morning at two new homes in South St. Petersburg and ended in unincorporated Lealman, just outside city limits, late in the afternoon.
The single mothers earned their zero-interest mortgage through Habitat’s homeownership program. Dunn and lease-to-own retailer Aaron’s provided a $5,000 down-payment assistance check and $10,000 worth of furnishings and accessories.
WDC provided gift cards for groceries. Dunn announced that the local families would also receive year-long passes to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
“I know you want to provide your kids with a stable environment,” he said to Miranda S., the final recipient. “So, these beautiful kids you have can grow up and create memories, have a place they can call home and really impact the community in a positive way.”
Miranda, last name withheld, has three kids: Nathan (13), Jaylynn (4) and Jeremy (3). They previously lived in a one-bedroom apartment.
Like all Habitat candidates, Miranda earns between 30% and 80% of the area median income, completed dozens of homebuyer education classes and invested 350 to 450 sweat equity hours into building her home. “Thank you for believing in us, for supporting us and for giving us a place to call home,” she said.
“We will cherish this home and the community that helped build it.”
The children were excited to finally have their own rooms.
Mike Sutton, CEO of the local Habitat affiliate, said Dunn has partnered with the organization for “many years.” He also noted that the College Football Hall of Famer reviews family biographies and selects those with similar stories.
Smothers was a Baton Rouge police officer who worked a second job in private security to achieve her dream of owning a home for Dunn and his five younger siblings. He was a freshman at Florida State when she was killed while working one night in January 1993.
Dunn won a national championship that year and later became the 12th overall pick in the 1997 draft. As a rookie with the Buccaneers, he began helping other families achieve his mom’s dream.
“She cared about her community,” Dunn said. “I just hope she is happy I’ve decided to stay on the right path she was leading me on.”
Dunn and his partners have since provided over $1 million in down payment assistance, and 92% of those families remain in their homes. “A lot of these families may be going into a home with nothing,” Sutton said.
“He provides the opportunity for them to have a fully furnished home,” he added. “So, they can move in and start a new chapter in life right away.”
Dunn said the homes create a stable foundation for children to grow and create positive memories that will impact their outlook on life. The kids who watch their mothers excitedly open the door for the first time will learn it “takes a community” to uplift those in need.
Dunn also explained the importance of attending the celebrations 27 years after helping provide the first Home for the Holidays. “When you’re having bad days, you can reflect on this and be like, ‘Wow, this brings joy,'” he said.
“To see families go through adversity to get to this point – and the parent is actually doing their part to give their kids a stable environment – it’s easy to want to come out and see that.”
