Aaron's Teams with Former NFL Stars to Deliver "Homes for the Holidays"

The presentations in Newark and Atlanta were the 150th and 151st, respectively, since the 2002 founding of Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) by the former pro running back. In partnership with Aaron's and Habitat for Humanity affiliates, WDC has rewarded 151 single parents – plus their 400 children and dependents – with the American Dream of first-time homeownership through down payment assistance in 15 cities across the nation.

In Phoenix, a partnership of Aaron's, Habitat for Humanity and retired NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, his wife Brenda, and their First Things First Foundation (FTFF), presented a home to a single mother of three. The family was the 41st nationwide – and 19th in Arizona – to be surprised by FTFF's "Homes for the Holidays" program.

"We are thrilled to join Warrick Dunn Charities, First Things First Foundation and Habitat for Humanity in celebrating these newest additions to a heartwarming program that provides single parents with a safe, comfortable home for them and their children," said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "For 61 years, Aaron's has focused on supporting our communities, and we're happy to continue that tradition by providing these families with furnishings they can enjoy this holiday season and for years to come."

The 150th home by WDC went to Newark resident Beatrice McKay, a Liberian refugee and mother of two. Aaron's surprised McKay and her family by providing furniture and electronics for her master bedroom, two children's bedrooms, living room and dining room. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his wife, Jane, also contributed to the surprise home and personally assisted in decorating the home and attended the unveiling.

A week later in the Atlanta suburb of Jonesboro, the 151st home was presented by WDC to Rickita Burney, a single mother of two. Burney overcame a bitter divorce, multiple home break-ins, financial stresses, and living in cramped quarters with her mother to complete Habitat for Humanity requirements to receive a new home and interest-free mortgage.

"Helping Rickita and Beatrice accomplish their American Dream is what makes Homes for the Holidays so rewarding," said Dunn. "Nobody deserves this more than they do, as each of them has overcome numerous obstacles to achieve this goal."

Warrick Dunn Charities provides hope and healing to communities through innovative programming inspired by Dunn's life journey. The Homes for the Holidays program assists single parents in becoming first-time homeowners by providing the materials necessary for long-term stability and the provisions required to ensure both parent and children can thrive educationally, socially and economically. The recipients receive $5,000 in down payment assistance as well as home furnishings, appliances, food, and other support for financial stability and security.

The Phoenix home was presented by Aaron's, FTFF and Habitat for Humanity to Amanaranta Robles, a single mom who works hard to provide for her three children. They were most recently living in Amanaranta's mother's three-bedroom, one-bathroom house along with her sister's family.

First Things First Foundation was founded in 2001 and is dedicated to impacting lives by promoting Christian values, sharing experiences and providing opportunities to encourage everyone that all things are possible when people to seek to put "first things first." Unbeknownst to the Robles family, their new home was fully furnished, including all the furniture, washer and dryer, and a computer with an approximate total retail value of $10,000 thanks to Aaron's.

"I'm overjoyed we're able to help Amanaranta and her children feel at home in a place of their own," said Warner. "By doing this, we not only reward Amanaranta for achieving the dream of home ownership, but also give her children a springboard for their future and empower them to achieve their dreams."

About Aaron's, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN) is a leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, and currently has more than 1,930 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada. Progressive Leasing, a leading virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 16,000 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 a federally insured bank. Aaron's was founded in 1955, has been publicly traded since 1982 and owns the Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com brands. For more information, visit www.aarons.com.

About Warrick Dunn Charities

Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc. 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 helped 150 single-parents and 405 children and dependents achieve first-time home ownership. Serving single-parent families nationwide, WDC and its partners have helped single parents to combat poverty and hunger and ensure families have basic necessities and comfortable surroundings in order to improve their quality of life. For more information, visit www.wdc.org. 

About the Kurt Warner First Things First Foundation

Established in 2001, the Kurt Warner First Things First Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity serving as a vehicle for Kurt and Brenda Warner to reach out to the community and share their blessings with those in need.  The First Things First Foundation is dedicated to impacting lives by promoting Christian values, sharing experiences and providing opportunities to encourage everyone that all things are possible when people to seek to put "first things first." Additional information is available at www.kurtwarner.org.

About Habitat for Humanity Newark

Habitat for Humanity Newark is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing to working families. Since 1986, individual volunteers, corporations, and faith-based and civic organizations have worked in partnership with qualified homebuyers to construct affordable, green, quality homes, which are then purchased through no-interest mortgages. Habitat Newark has benefitted more than 100 families in the Newark and Essex County area. For more information, visit http://www.habitatnewark.org.

About Habitat of Humanity Central Arizona

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona (HFHCAZ) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that builds, renovates and repairs homes in partnership with families in need.  Serving Arizona since 1985, HFHCAZ (an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International) is an independent, locally-run nonprofit organization which helps local families with low to moderate incomes become homeowners by building and partnering in the creation of affordable housing.  Services offered include new construction, home renovations, home repairs, reconstructs, neighborhood revitalizations, emergency home repairs, and contract services for public and non-profit industries.  HFHCAZ also builds community partnerships that promote spiritual values and individual responsibility. The Central Arizona affiliate is one of the largest and most active of the Habitat affiliates and is responsible for building and renovating more than 1100 homes. Currently, the affiliate is active in Maricopa County and Pinal County.

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that specializes in building and repairing homes for low-income families in Clayton, Henry and Fayette Counties. We build stronger families and neighborhoods through homeowner education and by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive, affordable homes and to repair existing homes. Since 1986, we've partnered with thousands of volunteers and sponsors to offer a hand up, not a hand out to hard working low income families. Through expanded services because of increasing need, we've served more than 150 families in the past 2 years. We serve South Metro Atlanta which includes Henry, Clayton and Fayette Counties.  Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity also provides home repair services for existing homeowners with a focus on the elderly and our veterans.

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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.

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