Atlanta Habitat Homebuyer surprised with furnishings and more for new home

Warrick Dunn Charities Home for the Holidays surprises 159th homebuyer

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity new homebuyer Catherine Echols and her two young children received a Christmas surprise that they will always remember from former NFL all-pro running back Warrick Dunn on December 20, 2017.

Echols is the recipient of the Warrick Dunn Charities Homes for the Holidays program that turns a house into a home.

“I’m just speechless,” Echols shared through tears as she entered the home. “I’m the youngest of five and the first in my family to buy a house. To have this surprise gift for me and my children is just unbelievable. I’m so thankful to everyone here.”

Echols works as a server at one of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport’s restaurants. This achievement opens doors to a brighter future of opportunities that she never had growing up.

Dunn Charities has partnered with Atlanta Habitat for 15 years now to select a hardworking homebuyer to receive new furniture, house decorations, a festive Christmas tree filled with presents, and a check to help with the down-payment of the new home.

“Our partnership with Warrick Dunn Charities is extra special because it is always a welcome surprise for an Atlanta Habitat homebuyer family and the house sponsor who works alongside the family to build their home,” says Lisa Y. Gordon, Atlanta Habitat President and CEO. “Atlanta Habitat is thankful for Warrick Dunn Charities for surprising Ms. Echols this year.”

The three-bedroom, two-bath house was built by Atlanta Habitat house sponsor volunteers who worked alongside Echols over eight Saturdays this fall. The furnishings and decorations were provided by Warrick Dunn Charities, Aaron’s, Inc., Cayden’s Way and Robert and Vicki Canakaris.

The Echols is one of 120 families that Atlanta Habitat has impacted through new house-builds, home rehabs, and critical repair and house painting projects in 2017. The nonprofit homebuilder makes an annual $6 million economic investment in Atlanta.

Photos from the big reveal: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f8eip63ugctqx70/AAA- X6c8nBhq6skdmZR09hmka?dl=0

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity transforms communities through neighborhood revitalization, education, innovative development and partnerships. As one of the largest affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, Atlanta Habitat has built more than 1,400 houses—impacting the lives of more than 5,500 family members and 168 neighborhoods—since 1983. In addition to constructing affordable, green, quality homes, the nonprofit homebuilder also rehabs existing structures and performs minor repairs for qualifying homeowners. Houses are sold to first-time homebuyers through zero-interest mortgages in Atlanta and South Fulton County. Visit www.atlantahabitat.org.