WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 23, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — A Decatur family struggling in the down economy will get to celebrate the holidays in a newly refreshed home thanks to a group of former professional football players and members of the local home building community. On Nov. 18, members of the Atlanta NFL Players Association former players chapter, HomeAid Atlanta and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association teamed up for a HomeAid Care Day to repair and rejuvenate a home for Decatur Cooperative Ministry’s Family House transitional program, which helps homeless Decatur and DeKalb families get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.
“Every family deserves to have a safe, comfortable home to celebrate the holidays in, whether it is a temporary sanctuary or a permanent home to call their own,” said Dextor Clinkscale, vice president of the Atlanta NFLPA former players’ chapter. “We are so thankful for this opportunity to give back to the community that gave us so much support during our playing careers.”
Former Atlanta Falcons Dewey McClain (1976-80) William Andrews (1979-86) and Major Everett (1987) joined Clinkscale (Dallas Cowboys, 1980-86) and former NFL players Ken Woodard, Ken Parker, Fred Banks, Bob Pickens, LaMar Campbell, Jim Nemeth and Kendall Newson to volunteer on the project.
“HomeAid Atlanta was proud to partner with the Greater Atlanta HBA and the Atlanta NFLPA former players chapter for this wonderful day of service to benefit Decatur Cooperative Ministry and the families they serve,” said Dan O’Dwyer, president of HomeAid Atlanta. “It was heartwarming to see people from different organizations coming together and pooling their resources for the common purpose of giving back and helping those in need in our community.”
More than 20 volunteers spent the day cleaning and painting the home’s interior, power washing the exterior siding and clearing debris from the gutters, removing overgrown plants and pruning shrubbery, and doing various repair tasks to help prepare the home for a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season.
“Through the HomeAid Care Day program, a mom and children working hard to get back on their feet came home to newly painted walls, a freshly raked yard, and more. Decatur Cooperative Ministry could not finish so many improvements in such a short period of time without the support of dedicated volunteers,” said Beth Vann-Turnbull, executive director of Decatur Cooperative Ministry. “We are very grateful to the Atlanta NFLPA former players chapter, Greater Atlanta HBA, and HomeAid Atlanta, not only for all their hard work but also for the generous and light-hearted spirit in which they did it.”
The 1,600-square-foot home is just one of nine homes used to temporarily house homeless Decatur and DeKalb County families as part of Decatur Cooperative Ministry’s Family House program, which provides assistance to roughly 14 families each year.
“We were grateful for the opportunity to team up with HomeAid Atlanta and members of the Atlanta NFLPA former players chapter to help a family in our community this holiday season,” said Mike Smith, president of the Greater Atlanta HBA. “As members of the home building industry, we feel we have an obligation to help those who need housing, and this project was a great way for us to do just that.”
The HomeAid Care Day project was part of Touchdown for Homes, a nationwide charitable outreach program of the National Association of Home Builders and the NFLPA that is bringing together local home builders’ associations and former NFL players to strengthen communities by building or renovating homes for children or families in need and veterans.
