Iowa Woman Receives Life-Changing Gift From Former NFL Star [WATCH]
Each day is a blessing but sometimes they come with life-changing moments. That's what happened to an Iowa woman and her daughter this week.
Nikole Cunningham is a single mom who has lived in Knoxville, in central Iowa, her entire life. This week, Warrick Dunn showed up at her home. Dunn is a former NFL Rookie of the Year running back who was a 3-time Pro-Bowler during his career.
During Dunn's rookie season in 1997, his charitable organization (Warrick Dunn Charities) started 'Homes for the Holidays'. It helps turn single parents into homeowners. Dunn started 'Homes for the Holidays' in honor of his late mother Betty Smothers. According to Warrick Dunn Charities, she "was a single parent who worked tirelessly to achieve the American dream of owning her own home."
When Dunn showed up at Cunningham's home this week, he had over 60 other people with him. Soon after, Cunningham was inside her new home. According to the Des Moines Register, Habitat for Humanity of Marion County built and financed the home. It was also fully furnished, thanks to Aaron's. Needless to say, Cunningham couldn't believe her good fortune.
Cunningham has a 4-year-old daughter who uses a wheelchair because of a physical disability. Previously, Cunningham was in a residence with lots of steps. She had no idea what she was going to do in the future. She told the Des Moines Register, "It's the biggest blessing I have. This was the biggest worry and they just wiped it away from me."
Dunn also presented a $5,000 check to Habitat for Humanity of Marion County to assist with the down payment on the house. You can see Cunningham touring her new home for the first time in the video below. Cunningham is the 217th homeowner that Warrick Dunn's 'Homes for the Holidays' has assisted through the years.