Lions pitch in to help single-parent families get their first home

(WJBK) - The Detroit Lions have made this holiday season unforgettable for one family, bringing new meaning to the phrase "home for the holidays."

Twenty-five-year-old Shakira Austin and her family were just given the gift of a lifetime with this newly-furnished and fully-stocked home.

"It is truly a blessing. I'm excited to live here now," she says.

"They've worked hard to qualify for this home. Everything that they're getting, they deserve. They've worked extremely hard. And they've been working hard together for years as a mother and daughter, and family," says Sandra Cobb with Habitat for Humanity.

"It means a lot. If anything happened to me, my daughter and grandson always have a place to call their own. I'm very happy," says Shakira's mother, Edrenia Austin.

In 2014, the Lions joined forces with Habitat for Humanity and Work Done Charities to help single parents families in Detroit purchase their first house. With donations from Art Van and Meijer, a staff of volunteers turns it into a home.

"It's hard to put it into words. I was definitely tearing up when the family was getting their home because it's all just "things" that we see every day, but, making a home for them was pretty incredible," says Elise Pollard, a volunteer and Golden Tate's fiancee.

Former Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn lost his mom when he was just 18 years old. She never fulfilled the dream of owning her own home. Since then, he's made it his mission to help other families do just that.

"I think sometimes we forget that the American dream is to own your own home. That's the quickest way to wealth. If I can help individuals continue that journey, then I'm all in," says Dunn.

"Things like this, this is better than receiving any present. Being able to give and see the emotion that they have and how happy they are. Tears of joy, that's special," says Lions wide receiver Golden Tate. "I'm glad we were able to celebrate it."