Homes for the Holidays House Number 2 | My Volunteer Experience

Surprise for New Homeowners

You guys asked and I’m glad to share. This is the second Habitat for Humanity home in Nashville that was completely furnished and decorated through Homes for the Holidays and Warrick Dunn Charities. I volunteered on the project and posted the photos of the first home last week.

I was overwhelmed (in a good way) by the response from you guys on the first Homes for the Holidays post. I really wasn’t sure if you would be interested in seeing the homes and hearing about the project. Well, you were and I’m so glad.

Keep in mind that the homeowners did not have any idea that their Habitat for Humanity home was being completely furnished and decorated. For privacy reasons the name of the homeowner of this home will not be shared and there are only a couple of photos of the family. Time to tour the home.

This is my favorite room in the second home. You guys know how I love red. The red, white, and blue room is perfect for the seven year old boy who now calls this room his.

I put the mattress covers, sheets, and comforters on the bunk beds all by myself. It’s a good way to burn calories and stretch your muscles. I’m glad we never had bunk beds at our house. I probably would have took those beds apart and tossed them on the curb  the first time I had to change the sheets.

There was so much love and thoughtfulness that went into selecting the furnishings for the room right down to the wall décor, touch reading lamp, and decorative pillows. Nancy and Whitney with Warrick Dunn Charities did a great job with the furniture and décor.

What a pretty house with a nice covered porch and a concrete drive. The neighborhood has sidewalks. Yay! Our neighborhood is over 50 years old and we don’t have sidewalks.

Marcus Mariota, the representative for Aarons, and Warrick Dunn

Aaron’s partners with Warrick Dunn Charities to provide the majority of the furniture for the Homes for the Holidays houses. WDC (Warrick Dunn Charities) provides: kitchen appliances & dishes, washers, dryers & refrigerators,  lawn & garden equipment, linens, fully stocked kitchen, cleaning supplies, and home decor items.

That includes things you wouldn’t necessarily think about like; clothes hangers, bath tub mats, toothbrushes, lotions, detergent, dryer sheets, paper towel holders, soap dispensers, solar lights for the walkway, wastebaskets, dirty clothes hampers, supply of light bulbs…..I could go on. The homeowners can move in and not need to rush out to buy anything.

Habitat for Humanity homes do not come fully furnished and decorated. This is a special program.

Entering the home there is a tree all decorated for Christmas and I see presents under the tree. How about those floors. I think I’m going to be replacing my carpet soon with wood flooring (maybe fake wood flooring).

The tree and decorations were provided by a florist out of Spring Hill (sorry don’t know the name). The presents for the homeowner and family were provided by another group.

The earth tone color palette of this home is my favorite. Not too dark, just right.

Me and my partner in curtain rod hanging were responsible for the biggest part of the rods, sheers, and curtains in both homes. We turned into curtain rod hanging pros about the time we were hanging the last rod. Isn’t that the way it goes.

The home décor came from Wal-Mart, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Pier 1, and other local stores. I love those gold tone flowers hanging over the TV.

Marcus Mariota’s foundation Motiv8 provided jerseys, cleats, autographed photos, backpacks and other items for the boys in both Homes for the Holidays houses.

I talked with Marcus and watched him interact with the kids. He is a fine young man, humble and kind. His parents were also on hand to help with bringing in the surprises for the kids and were present for the home presentation.

Looking into the dining room area.

The apple pie on the dining room table is a signature WDC Homes for the Holidays touch. Mr. Dunn wants every family to feel special and adding details like fresh flowers, books, and framed photos is a must.

Warrick Dunn takes the homeowner on their first tour of their furnished and decorated home.

Plates, silverware, kitchen accessories on the counter waiting to be put away.

Marcus playing around with the little one….and me caught off guard leaning against the wall. It was an experience just seeing the homeowners getting their first look at the homes all ready for move in. A lot of tears were shed that day…..by everyone.

Me and Shadonte putting a shelf together and you can see the finished shelf in the following photo.

This is a multi-purpose room…..computer room……play room….whatever room.

Small alcove in the hallway. The photos on the wall are from the Habitat for Humanity dedication when the build was finished.

The master bedroom turned out really well. I love that upholstered headboard. I need one.

I talked with Whitney about how the rooms are decorated. She told me there is a certain way all of the beds are to be staged and I know the curtain rods have to be hung 2” from the ceiling and 2” our from the window frame. Not sure what Interior Design standards they go by. She told me….but I forgot.

I learned a lot while helping set up the two homes. Did I have fun? I had a blast.

In the first post I failed to mention that WDC also gives each Homes for the Holidays homeowner a $5000 down payment towards their mortgage. How great is that. Warrick Dunn Charities goal is to make an impact in the lives of hardworking families who deserve a hand up — not a hand out — in life.

There is a lot more detail about the programs in my post on the first home (lots more photos too) here…Volunteering With Homes For The Holidays.

You can also find me volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build here. Maybe you would like to volunteer for a Habitat build in your city?

Leave me a note and thanks for being here, Kathy