OT: Warrick Dunn Charities donates their 173rd home to single parent

Submitted by ca_prophet on October 16th, 2019 at 5:27 PM

https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2019/10/15/former-buc-warrick-dunn-surprises-st-pete-single-mother-with-new-home/

The board is pretty negative right now.  Here's something good to counterbalance that.  I bet we can find more if we try.

 

MGoBoard
Football

MileHighWolverine

October 16th, 2019 at 5:35 PM ^

He was the key note speaker for an event to benefit a charity here in Denver (Judi's House) that helps kids who've lost a parent get grief counseling free of charge. The charity was set up by our very own Brian Griese when he was the QB for the Broncos and they do amazing work.

Anyway, as part of the event, Warrick talked about how he lost his mother who was a police officer when he was 18 and the things he had to do to take care of his family once she was gone.

A truly amazing guy doing amazing work.

Joined: 09/02/2008

MGoPoints: 7749

Mike Damone

October 16th, 2019 at 5:39 PM ^

Always had major respect for Warrick Dunn and what he was able to accomplish on the field and especially in life, given the rough road and bad breaks he had growing up.  And man - for his size, he was a warrior on the field.  5'8" or so, a hundred and nothing pounds, and he would get walloped by a LB or S, but be up and ready for the next play.  

Great story, thanks for posting.

Joined: 09/02/2017

MGoPoints: 24155

ca_prophet

October 16th, 2019 at 6:20 PM ^

From https://wdc.org/frequently-asked-questions/

"Warrick Dunn Charities currently partners with affordable housing providers such as Habitat for Humanity to provide single parents and their children with down payment assistance and furnishings, décor, and all of the necessitates required to turn a house into a home. At this time, we do not buy, build, or give homes away for free, but partner with local agencies and companies to give hard-working parents a hand up in their pursuit of homeownership."

For the latest house, Habit for Humanity bought the land, and built the house at cost, then various local organizations donated money/furnishings/groceries/etc.  HoH/WDC maintain a list of qualified candidates (they have to be able to meet the [generously low] interest rate, demonstrate need, and so forth).

At the core, it seems like what they're doing is cutting out as many charges as possible (no profit for the builder or land-purchaser, etc.), getting the best deal on the mortgage and then negotiating a sale where some or all of the down payment is donated.  The recipient gets a house with a low-interest-rate mortgage and the down payment taken care of, and HoH/WDC get various tax breaks on their end of things, but by and large the tax situations should be easily separated.

They could also be doing more complicated things, but in this particular case it seems like WDC is using the money they get from donations/sponsorships/speaking fees to subsidize the down payments on a single parent's housing project.

Warrick Dunn is doing good work.

Joined: 09/07/2010

MGoPoints: 7089

heyyoujesson

October 16th, 2019 at 5:54 PM ^

Was majorly impressive on the field in his day, but he's doing bigger and more important stuff in retirement. Definition of someone who really values others above self. 

Joined: 08/31/2018

MGoPoints: 99

Avant's Hands

October 16th, 2019 at 11:06 PM ^

This guy is amazing. He is the only non-Michigan player I own an NFL jersey of. Absolutely loved watching him and Alstott together in Tampa and I still root for the Bucs as my second team to this day.

Joined: 10/22/2011

MGoPoints: 9271