Warrick Dunn keeps giving back

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He won Bucs fans over with his love for the game. But even after the cleats came off, Warrick Dunn continues to pour his heart into the Tampa Bay area. His charity still helps local single parents achieve the goal of home ownership.

"For me, it's all about when the family walks through, it's all about them," Dunn smiled.

Wednesday, that family was Xeniya McBroom and her daughter. They were handed the keys to a new, fully furnished home.

"I was very surprised to see it all decorated and furnished in here. It's a big help and it looks beautiful," McBroom said Wednesday.

Dunn's 'Home for the Holidays' charity paired with Habitat for Humanity to make this first-time homebuyer's dream come true.  Each room was carefully and colorfully decorated to make the McBrooms feel right at home.

"It's independence. I don't have to depend on my parents. It's just a brand new start," McBroom continued. 

Dunn's charity is also plunking down a $5,000 down payment on the house to give the family a financial head start.  Dunn says he'll never forget how Tampa helped him.

"This was my first professional home when I started with the Bucs, and I still live here. I'm always going to come back. This place was the birth of the program and I can't forget where I came from," Dunn said.

Dunn has now helped 145 single parents achieve homeownership. He says it's his way of paying it forward.

"I'm thankful I've had the platform and opportunity to help people," he said.

McBroom had to complete training through Habitat for Humanity on money management before she was qualified to buy the home, which is not free. She purchased the home from Habitat with a no-interest loan. Her monthly mortgage payments will go back to building more Habitat homes in the community.