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News Releases
Bricks and mortar became a home today as Warrick Dunn and his Foundation's program, Homes for the Holidays, made its 52nd presentation to a St. Petersburg woman raised by her grandmother and now a single mom to two young boys. TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2004)- Bricks and mortar became a home today as Warrick Dunn and his Foundation's program, Homes for the Holidays, made its 52nd presentation to a St. Petersburg woman raised by her grandmother and now a single mom to two young boys. Tanya Pickle, arrived to find a flurry of activity in what is now her front yard and was clearly confused by the cameras and number of unfamiliar faces. Once she was given the news that she had been selected, Ms. Pickle appeared to be in a state of disbelief. When asked if she knew the name "Warrick Dunn" she replied she had "seen him on the television" but the idea that she was the recipient of his "Homes" program took awhile to accept. "I don't know what to say. Thank you," she said stepping up to speak to the crowd gathered around. "There have been times when I was tempted to give up or give in but I didn't, thanks to some of you in the crowd. I want to say to everyone out there, hang in there because there is a light at the end," she added. After thanking her boss who was present among other supporters she turned to the front door where a festive red bow caught the eye of her 7-year-old who politely asked if he could cut the ribbon. He was obliged and soon the keys were turned over, attached to an Atlanta Falcons and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers key chain. Escorted in to the three bedroom, two bath fully-furnished home by Warrick Dunn of the Atlanta Falcons and his new associate partner in Tampa, Shelton Quarles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 16-month-old Kendrell clung to his mother with older brother Kevin walking close and looking around at the sea of well-wishing faces. Employed for five straight years with the same company, the goal of home ownership was an ambitious one for Pickle but the desire to provide for her children was strong and had been nurtured by her Grandmother. "I want my children to have it better than I did and their children to have it even better," she said. "This is what I was taught and I want to pass it on." Established in 1997, Homes for the Holidays was established by the Warrick Dunn Foundation as a way to honor the life of his mother, Betty Smothers, a police officer and security guard, killed during a robbery while on duty. "I loved my mother and wish she could have fulfilled her dream of moving us in to our own home which was her goal. This work keeps her memory alive and is my way of honoring what she meant to me," Dunn said. And now, home ownership is a reality for Tanya Pickle and her two sons. The American Dream is real.
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