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Homes for the Holidays Corporate Partner

"I have witnessed firsthand your generosity in reaching out and giving families in your hometown an opportunity to live their American dream through home-ownership, and your untiring efforts in loyalty and service to this community is sincerely appreciate."

"What you do for these families truly represents the spirit of giving and what Christmas is all about."

— Bobby Simpson, Former Mayor-President of Baton Rouge

Recipient #89 Pays It Forward

 We’d like to thank April Harrelson and her family for volunteering at our recent home presentations in their Dade City neighborhood.

A word from April...

I became a HFTH recipient through Habitat for Humanity in 2009. They sent WDC a nomination form about my family and our situation at that time. I had put in over 400 volunteer hours toward owning my first home. After my divorce, my boys and I had to stay with friends and share a room. I had never felt like I didn’t have a plan for my life, and I didn’t know what I was going to do. It really was one of the darkest, hardest times for my kids and I, leaving me feeling beneath myself. My job, waging $650.00, was not enough to provide a home with electricity and water. All I could afford was the necessary, somewhere to rest their heads at night.

I thought I was just going to have pictures taken on the day WDC presented my home. I had no idea that WDC and so many others would be there. When I arrived, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What is going on,” and then Warrick Dunn surprised me as I got out of the car. I just started crying and I couldn’t speak. He was so wonderful and soft spoken. He hugged me, held my hand and said, “Don’t cry, every thing’s all right. Just smile, it’s your day.”

When I walked into our home, all I could think about was how beautiful it was. Our new home was fully furnished, right down to the food. All we had to move in were our personal items and clothes. We would all love to have new things to go along with a new home, but usually can’t afford it. Those things come with time when you live paycheck to paycheck. To be given all of these brand new things was a dream. My dream continued when Warrick told me he had another gift for us and presented my family with a $5,000 down payment check. I just covered my face and cried. I don’t even know if he realizes what he and the other sponsors have done for my family. They have allowed me to maintain a beautiful home with a low monthly mortgage payment. I am able to provide for my boys and give them the things they need, and maybe even some things they don’t need. I don’t have to work a second job, so I can spend time with my children, playing baseball or just hanging out and enjoying their presence.

Becoming a HFTH recipient has allowed some financial relief and the ability to depend on myself if child support doesn’t happen to come that month. I am so thankful to be part of the WDC family because that is what you become after he presents you with your home furnishings and down-payment assistance. The ladies in his office are great and very helpful. I don’t know if they’re the lucky ones to work for such a great mission, or if he’s the lucky one for having such a great team. I will always have a home for my children and grandchildren, through marriages, divorces or whatever life may throw our way. What’s most important to me is that I know we have a nice, affordable place to call home at the end of the day. I am so thankful and happy that Warrick’s mother raised him to be such a wonderful, kind-hearted, giving man.

Thank you all for supporting and honoring Ms. Betty’s struggles and dreams through single parents like myself.