TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Dunn Overlooks Patriots Jersey, Helps Family Into New Home

Tribune photo by ANDY JONES

"This is unbelievable," Sarah Cooke said of her new home.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 9, 2008

Updated: 12/09/2008 03:11 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY - Sarah Cooke thought she would be doing a walk-through of her new Habitat for Humanity home today -- until she saw the crowd of people in the driveway.

She and her children, son Devin, 15, and daughter Lauren, 10, were greeted outside the home in the New Port Richey neighborhood of Moon Lake by Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn.

Cooke knew then this was the day she had longed for: She would become a homeowner.

"It's a very good surprise. Thank you," said the 35-year-old single mother and home health care nurse. "I'm shaking."

Once her son realized who Dunn was, he seemed embarrassed by his attire: a New England Patriots No. 83 (wide receiver Wes Welker) jersey.

"I didn't know this was going on or I wouldn't have worn it," he quipped.

A moment later, he was listening to orders from mom.

"Take that off," she said.

He obeyed, revealing a white T-shirt.

Dunn took the Patriots jersey and pretended to throw it on the ground before handing it to someone and politely asking them to put it elsewhere.

It was the first of Dunn's stops around the Tampa Bay area today, just hours after getting off a plane following a disappointing Monday night loss to the Carolina Panthers. But this is what Dunn does – transfer his passion from the field to the community to unlock the dreams of families by handing over the keys to their new homes.

It's part of Home for the Holidays, a program of the Warrick Dunn Foundation. Since 1997, Dunn has helped provide down-payment assistance to more than 80 families – all economically disadvantaged, single-parent families. The foundation, through its title sponsor, Prudential Tropical Realty, and its in-kind sponsor, Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership, also provides furniture, kitchen appliances, dishes and more.

Recipients are qualified through affordable homeownership nonprofit programs and must meet eligibility requirements.

Dunn talked briefly about how his mother never realized her dream of owning a home.

"I felt like if I could do something I could relate to and understand, it's something I could be passionate about," he said.

Moments later, he handed Cooke the keys to the yellow and green house and, after hugs, she unlocked the front door.

A Christmas tree greeted her inside the living room.

Dunn showed the tearful family each room.

"It's so beautiful," Cooke said.

Her home was filled with new furniture and appliances; the kitchen was stocked with food.

"This is unbelievable," she said. "I love it. I love it."

An eighth-grade dropout, Cooke became a licensed practical nurse after getting her GED, putting herself through school and raising her two children after a divorce, according to her mother. She hopes to get her degree and become a registered nurse.

The family recently moved in with Cooke's mother and stepfather, Debby and Bill Waite, in Hudson after leaving a dilapidated double-wide mobile home.

After putting in about 180 hours with Habitat on her home and others in the area, Cooke was trying to figure out how she would pay the mortgage and buy new furniture for the tidy home. She never expected it to come furnished.

"My dreams were never this huge," Cooke said, looking around her home. "Thank you doesn't seem to be enough."

As for son Devin, he will soon be adding a new jersey to his new closet.

"He's gonna get a Bucs shirt," Dunn said. "You don't have to worry about that."

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT