ATLANTA, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, and its divisions Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing, last week surprised first-time homeowner and Baton Rouge resident Latrenda Perkins and her two children with a fully furnished home as part of the Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) program sponsored by former NFL star Warrick Dunn.
The presentation in Baton Rouge was the 152nd for Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) by the former pro running back. In partnership with Aaron’s and Habitat for Humanity affiliates, WDC has rewarded 152 single parents and their 400 children and dependents with the American Dream of first-time homeownership through down payment assistance in 15 cities across the nation.
“It continues to be a great pleasure to see so many families’ lives changed for the better because of the hard work by Warrick Dunn Charities,” said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron’s, Inc. “Aaron’s is so happy to partner once again with Warrick and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge to provide furnishings for Latrenda’s new home, where we know she can raise her children in a safe and comfortable environment.”
Warrick Dunn Charities’ Homes for the Holidays assists single parents in becoming first-time homeowners by providing the materials necessary for long-term stability and the provisions required to ensure that both parent and children can thrive educationally, socially and economically.
For nearly a decade, Latrenda Perkins and her children shared a single room in her parents’ house in Baton Rouge. Then the city’s August 2016 flooding filled that home with water, displacing the entire family to a nearby hotel and then to a small rental. Despite the setbacks, Latrenda never let go of her dream of homeownership. She cruised through Habitat for Humanity’s training program, where she learned about home maintenance and community engagement.
“These houses are always incredible but we’re especially grateful to Aaron’s for making the inside feel truly hospitable with comfy beds, furniture, new electronics and appliances,” said Dunn. “Latrenda’s optimism and fortitude set an incredible example for her children and we know she will remain responsible and humble as she moves into a new, joyful phase of her life.”
Aaron’s has been a longtime supporter of Warrick Dunn Charities initiatives and began contributing home furnishings, appliances and electronics to the Homes for the Holidays program in 2003. Warrick Dunn Charities was founded in 2002 by former NFL star Warrick Dunn.
About Aaron’s, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. Aaron’s Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories through its more than 1,860 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada as well as its e-commerce platform Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 22,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through federally insured banks. For more information, visit investor.aarons.com, Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.
About Warrick Dunn Charities
Warrick Dunn Charities provides hope and healing to communities through innovative programming inspired by our Founder’s life journey. Since 1997, the Homes for the Holidays program has rewarded 152 single parents and 400 children and dependents that have achieved first-time homeownership in Atlanta, GA, Baltimore, MD, Baton Rouge, LA, Dallas, TX, Jacksonville, FL, Tallahassee and Tampa, FL Serving single-parent families nationwide, WDC and its partners have combatted poverty, hunger and ensure families have basic necessities and comfortable surroundings to improve their quality of life. Betty’s Hope, a mobile children’s bereavement program provides students aged 5-18 with a safe and responsive environment for them to heal and enhance their quality of life after experiencing a loss. For more information, visit
www.wdc.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge is a non-profit, Christian-based housing ministry that works in partnership with deserving, low-income families and the community to eliminate poverty housing through building simple, decent homes. We help build community by involving diverse religious, social and business groups in the construction of homes and neighborhoods. In our 27-year history, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge has renovated and built more than 330 homes in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, Inc. (HFHGBR) serves a four parish area including East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Ascension Parishes, covering more than 1,500 square miles of land. Habitat is not a handout but a “hand up.” Homes are sold to partner families at no profit, and financed by Habitat with an affordable, no-interest twenty-year mortgage. For more information, visit
http://habitatbrla.org.
