ATLANTA, Nov. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc.
(NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase
solutions, and its divisions Aaron's and Progressive Leasing,
surprised two single-parent families in Tallahassee this week with rooms of furniture
to fill their new homes as part of Homes for the Holidays (HFTH)
program sponsored by former NFL star Warrick Dunn. HFTH began in 1997 when Coach
Tony Dungy challenged Dunn to
contribute to the community beyond football and Warrick Dunn
Charities was formed in 2002 offering several additional programs
to working parents.
The 156th and 157th homes were presented by Warrick Dunn
Charities' (WDC) Homes for the Holidays program, which assists
single parents as they become first-time homeowners. WDC, in
partnership with Aaron's and Habitat for Humanity affiliates, helps
transform the house into a fully furnished home including
furniture, food and all the amenities associated with being settled
in a personal home. Referred to as a hand up and not a hand-out,
these families have successfully completed the homeownership
requirements specified by Habitat and required by WDC. Both
organizations believe that basic financial literacy and
understanding of personal finance provides families with the best
chance for educational, social and economic success, a goal of
WDC.
"Aaron's is thrilled to once again partner with Warrick Dunn and Habitat for Humanity and
present beautiful new homes to these women who have worked so hard
to achieve home ownership," said John
Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "I'm inspired by these single
mothers, who deserve safe and comfortable homes to raise their
children. We are so happy that they can begin the holiday
season in such a wonderful way and enjoy their new homes with their
families."
This week marks WDC's 20th Anniversary of the first recipient in
the Homes for the Holiday program. To date, WDC and its sponsors
have rewarded 157 single parents and over 400 children and
dependents with first-time homeownership in 15 cities across the
nation. The 156th WDC home was presented to India Williams, who works as a clinical support
specialist at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee. She supports a teenage daughter
and three-year-old twin boys and is a regular volunteer at Big Bend
Habitat for Humanity.
Just two doors down from India, Maria
Wright was awarded the 157th WDC home. Maria is a single
mother of three children. Her primary job is with Pediatria
Healthcare, where she provides nursing care for medically fragile
children who are too sick to enroll in traditional daycare. Her
daughter enrolled at Florida State
University this year, becoming the first member of her
family to attend college.
"As we celebrate 20 years of the Homes for the Holiday program,
I look at India and Maria as representative of my own Mother. These
women are hardworking and deserving of the benefits of stable
housing. Thanks to our board, Aaron's, and our volunteers, these
recipients walked in to their new homes, both of which are full of
stylish and modern furniture, appliances and technology," said
Dunn. "This couldn't happen without the generous help of good
corporate citizens and I am thankful for these relationships. It
all reminds me of how fortunate I've been, and how grateful I am
for the memory of my Mom and for her legacy which benefits all of
our families."
Aaron's has been a longtime supporter of WDC initiatives and
began contributing home furnishings, appliances and electronics to
the Homes for the Holidays program since 1997. Warrick Dunn
Charities was founded in 2002 by former NFL star Warrick Dunn.
About Aaron's, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a
leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. The
Aaron's Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and
specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home
appliances and accessories through its more than 1,750
Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and
Canada, as well as its e-commerce
platform, Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual
lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through
approximately 27,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med,
Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit
products that are originated through federally insured banks. For
more information, visit investor.aarons.com, Aarons.com,
ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.
About Warrick Dunn Charities
Warrick Dunn Charities
provides hope and healing to communities through innovative
programming inspired by our Founder's life journey. Since 1997, the
Homes for the Holidays program has rewarded 157 single parents and
400 children and dependents that have achieved first-time
homeownership in Atlanta, GA,
Baltimore, MD, Baton Rouge, LA, Dallas, TX, Jacksonville, FL, Tallahassee and Tampa, FL. Serving single-parent families
nationwide, WDC and its partners have combatted poverty, hunger and
ensure families have basic necessities and comfortable surroundings
to improve their quality of life. Betty's Hope, a mobile children's
bereavement program provides students aged 5-18 with a safe and
responsive environment for them to heal and enhance their quality
of life after experiencing a loss. For more information, visit
www.wdc.org.
About Big Bend Habitat for Humanity
Big Bend Habitat
for Humanity provides affordable homeownership to low-income
persons. The Habit for Humanity model allows for groups and
individuals to sponsor homes through financial contributions and
pledges of volunteer labor. Individuals who acquire a home through
Habitat for Humanity must in turn provide volunteer labor for other
homes built by the organization. For more information about Big
Bend Habitat for Humanity, visit BigBendHabitat.org.
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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.