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The Warrick Dunn Foundation held its Sixth Annual Gala Oct. 13 at the Westin in Buckhead. With approximately 300 people in attendance, the Gala raised more than $50,000 for the Foundation through ticket sales, sponsor donations and pledges made at the event.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn was joined by former and current NFL teammates and friends including Derrick Brooks, Michael Clayton, Michael Jenkins, Brian Finneran, Earnest Graham, Jonathan Babineaux and Jerious Norwood all with one goal in mind – raising money for economically-disadvantaged single parents and their children.
The evening included a welcome from Mayor Shirley Franklin, a live and silent auction, Macy’s fashion show, a tribute to Dunn by a recent Homes for the Holidays recipient and a surprise live performance by Slim from the musical group 112. Additionally, Natalie Whitlow was named this year’s winner of the Extraordinary Achievement Award by the Warrick Dunn Foundation.
“Events like this make it possible for the Foundation to continue to assist so many deserving families,” said Natalie Boe, Warrick Dunn Foundation executive director. “Thank you to the city of Atlanta for welcoming us back, and a special thank you to all of our sponsors and everyone else who made this event such a success.”
Dunn started Homes for the Holidays in 1997 as a tribute to his mother, a Baton Rouge police officer, who was killed in the line of duty. As a single mother of six, she worked tirelessly to achieve the American dream of owning her own home, however, she was never able to realize that dream. Through Homes for the Holidays, Dunn has been able to honor her memory. To date, the program has assisted 78 single parents and 205 children and dependents to achieve first-time homeownership in Tampa and Tallahassee, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga. and Dunn’s hometown of Baton Rouge, La.
Event sponsors included Peachtree TV, Aaron’s Sales and Lease, The Pepsi Bottling Group, Georgia Power and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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