Single Mother, Keyona Thompson, Celebrates Easter with Home Full of Aaron’s Furniture, Appliances and Electronics. She stands with Aaron’s Regional Manager, Daniel Stevens (L) and Warrick Dunn (R)
Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, and its divisions Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing, supplied the home furnishings for this month’s Surprise Home Presentation to Tampa, Florida resident Keyona Thompson and her children as part of Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) program sponsored by former NFL star Warrick Dunn. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Warrick Dunn Charities’ Homes for the Holidays program, which provides single parents like Keyona with homes so they can have a safe and stable space to raise their families,” said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron’s, Inc. “Aaron’s has a longstanding tradition of giving back to communities across the country and we’re so pleased that these furnishings will be able to help make a difference in the Thompsons’ lives for years to come.” Warrick Dunn Charities’ (WDC) 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. To date, in partnership with Aaron’s and Habitat for Humanity affiliates, WDC and its sponsors have rewarded 155 single parents and over 400 children and dependents with the American Dream of first-time homeownership in 15 cities across the nation. This fall marks WDC’s 20th year in assisting single parents and their families. Keyona Thompson is a single mother of five children and the caregiver for her niece, three of whom are mentally disabled. Before this, Keyona lived in a three-bedroom, one-bathroom home where her children shared rooms while dealing with significant age gaps and a lack of appropriate space for the children with special needs. In addition, the family of seven lived in substandard conditions with a roof that leaked in multiple areas of the house. “At Warrick Dunn Charities, we’re committed to helping single parents secure homeownership and understand the system around that process so they will be successful for the rest of their lives,” said Dunn. “Thanks to our partners such as Aaron’s, families like the Thompsons do not need to worry about furnishing their homes and can focus on improving the life of their families and their communities.” Aaron’s has been a longtime supporter of WDC initiatives and began contributing home furnishings, appliances and electronics to the Homes for the Holidays program in 2003. Warrick Dunn Charities, founded by former NFL star Warrick Dunn, was registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2002. 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 1,850 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 155 single parents and over 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. For more information, visit www.wdc.org. About Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County has constructed 369 homes for low income families in Pinellas County, using locally raised funds. Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat Pinellas homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. For Pinellas County, that translates to as little as $27,000 a year for a family of four. Candidates must also demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat Pinellas to invest 250 to 350 sweat equity hours. Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that home ownership contributes to family stability, leading in turn to community stability. Additionally, Habitat Pinellas raises funds through their ReStore, a home improvement outlet where donated household and building items are sold to the public. Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization that has received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, four stars, every year for the past eight years. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, contact (727) 536-4755 or visit www.HabitatPinellas.org.
