Home Ownership A 'Dunn' Deal For Pinellas Park Single Mother

PINELLAS PARK, FLA — A single mother and domestic violence survivor is now a first-time homeowner after she was able to purchase her home at a zero percent interest rate thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco counties.

A surprise helping hand from former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star running back Warrick Dunn only added to the celebration at Tuesday’s home dedication ceremony in Pinellas Park.

Dunn, who spent six of his 12 years in the NFL playing for the Bucs, presented the new homeowner, Amanda Pedigo, with a $5,000 down payment assistance check from his charitable foundation. Amanda is also receiving $10,000 in home furnishings from Aaron’s.

A single mom to two girls, Pedigo works in medical administration to support her family. But after her former apartment was located in an area with a high crime rate that kept her daughters from playing outdoors, she sought a safer place to call home. Now, thanks to the partnership between Habitat For Humanity and Warrick Dunn Charities, Pedigo now has the home she has always dreamt of owning.

“I have come a long way from experiencing homelessness and overall life struggles,”Pedigo said in a news release. “This has made me a strong woman that never looks back. My kids and I always focus on our dreams, and I hope I am living proof for them.”

During Tuesday’s home dedication, Pedigo became emotional when Dunn was waiting for her outside her car holding the check for the down payment. Dunn, who played collegiately at Florida State, shook hands with the new homeowner as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.

"I know you," she said, pointing at Dunn.

Tuesday’s home dedication was the 190th home celebration partnership Dunn’s charitable organization has been part of. The not-for-profit identifies single parents around the country and helps them purchase a home for the first time through the organization’s Home For The Holidays program.

"Over the years I have always tried to express what having a stable foundation means”, Dunn said at Tuesday's dedication ceremony. “Today I’m excited to share that experience with you, Amanda. ... now you have the opportunity to put your kids in a stable environment."

As part of an ongoing effort to bring affordable homeownership opportunities to the area’s working-class neighborhoods, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco continues to work with the City of Pinellas Park and community partners to build homes in Tellor Estates, the affiliate’s largest development to date. Amanda and her family are the newest homeonwers in the neighborhood, according to a news release.

As of this month, Habitat has completed 27 new home builds in Tellor Estates. Upon completion, a total of 75 safe and affordable Habitat homes will be built, according to the news release. In August, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco will celebrate their 700th Home Build milestone in the Pinellas Park neighborhood.