Former NFL pro Warrick Dunn and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank were among a crowd of well-wishers who surprised a family on Thursday. The Cannada family's new home was fully-stocked with furnishings and decor.
Curelle Cannada couldn't hold back the tears as Blank and Dunn presented her with the keys to her new home.
"I look at is as a blessing because without God I don't think any of this would be possible," she said.
Cannada's dream of homeownership became a reality thanks to the Warrick Dunn Charities Homes for the Holidays program, Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.
"To see what it means to the mother, the children and to her brother, it's just a great experience to all of us," Blank said.
The program has assisted some 120 single parents and their families over the years, helping them attain long-term stability through homeownership.
For former NFL pro Warrick Dunn, it's a living legacy to his mother. Dunn was inspired by her efforts to make a better life for him and his siblings.
"It's really been about my struggle, my mom's struggle -- her dream of home ownership," he said.
Cannada helped work to build her home, but had no idea her family had been selected to receive the generous gift. The house was fully furnished, decked out for the holidays, each item selected with car to make this house a home on move-in day.
"To have this gift, it's a good thing. It's a good feeling," Cannada said.
Dunn says it is the culmination of the hard work and dedication Cannada has put in to make a better life for her family, and an opportunity to show her children and other youngsters how hard work and perseverance can lead to a better life.
"Show them a different opportunity. You work hard and you work to put yourself in a good situation, it's an opportunity to provide yourself a better opportunity in the future," Dunn said.
Cannada will be eternally grateful to those who have made her dream a reality.
"It's a blessing to have it all. It's a blessing to meet people who don't even know me and they are furnishing my house. They are doing everything for me that I would never have imagined someone that doesn't know me to do," she said.
Dunn has worked with families across the country to make their dreams of homeownership come true. He plans to help broaden his outreach by partnering with more NFL teams in coming years.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:45 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:45:14 GMT
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff biked his way to work on Friday. Dimitroff rode from Buckhead to The Georgia Dome as part of "National Bike to Work Day."
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff biked his way to work on Friday. Dimitroff rode from Buckhead to The Georgia Dome as part of "National Bike to Work Day."
Monday, May 13 2013 7:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:19:20 GMT
Former Atlanta Falcons star Warrick Dunn is now a graduate of Emory University. He was awarded a business degree after completing the university's Executive MBA program.
Former Atlanta Falcons star Warrick Dunn is now a graduate of Emory University. He was awarded a business degree after completing the university's Executive MBA program.
Monday, May 13 2013 10:01 AM EDT2013-05-13 14:01:16 GMT
It's that time of year again! The Falcons Golf Tournament at the River Club in Suwanee is Monday, and it starts 10 a.m. Good Day Atlanta's Buck Lanford is in the tournament and he spoke with quarterback Matt Ryan.
It's that time of year again! The Falcons Golf Tournament at the River Club in Suwanee is Monday, and it starts 10 a.m. Good Day Atlanta's Buck Lanford is in the tournament and he spoke with quarterback Matt Ryan and Coach Mike Smith!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:44:17 GMT
A Jasper County teen was reunited with an EMT who helped save her life 13 years ago.
A Jasper County teen was reunited with an EMT who helped save her life 13 years ago. FOX 5 viewers provided information that led Alyssa Haskew to the moment she's waited more than a decade for: to say thank you to Scott Thomas.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:34 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:34:58 GMT
Parents are asking about the safety of the schools in the event of a tornado after the devastation suffered in Moore, Okla.
Parents are asking about the safety of the schools in the event of a tornado after the devastation suffered in Moore, Okla. School and emergency officials insist having kids sheltered in school buildings rather than being picked up is the best solution.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:22:14 GMT
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:17:01 GMT
The wives of Atlanta police and firefighters have put up billboards telling Mayor Kasim Reed and the Atlanta City Council to give their spouses a pay raise.
The wives of Atlanta police and firefighters have put up billboards telling Mayor Kasim Reed and the Atlanta City Council to give their spouses a pay raise.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:24 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:24:51 GMT
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.The North American Mission Board has volunteers on the ground in Oklahoma and more relief is on the
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:04:30 GMT
A Douglasville family is asking for help to try to find their missing daughter. Jacqueline Bryant, 15, was last seen on April 12 and now she's the subject of a nationwide alert.
A Douglasville family is asking for help to try to find their missing daughter. Jacqueline Bryant, 15, was last seen on April 12 and now she's the subject of a nationwide alert.
