Florida State University’s Partnerships Advancing Library Media (PALM) Center in the School of Information continued its support of the Warrick Dunn Charities’ Homes for the Holidays program at a dedication ceremony for Big Bend Habitat for Humanity’s newest homeowner Eunice Williams on Tuesday.

Dr. Nancy Everhart, PALM Center Director, presented the Williams family with a certificate for $800 in books for a home library provided by Follett School Solutions.

“Putting books in the hands of children is our core mission at Follett,” Tom Schenck, president of Follett School Solutions, said.  “This partnership with Warrick Dunn Charities and Florida State University is a way for us to help build a home library for a deserving family who may not otherwise have books to read when they come home from school.”

In the coming weeks, graduate students and faculty from the School of Information will work to select appropriate reading materials for the Williams family.

“This service-learning project highlights the unique skills that our faculty and students can provide to the community and we couldn’t do it without Follett’s support for this wonderful program,” – Nancy Everhart

Warrick Dunn, a former Florida State and NFL running back, earned a Bachelor’s degree in information technology from the School and was honored as its 2010 Distinguished Alumni of the Year.  Warrick Dunn Charities’ Home for the Holidays Program was created to honor the struggles of his own single mother, Betty Smothers, as she raised Dunn and his five siblings.

In collaboration with local charities like Habitat for Humanity, Dunn’s program has benefited 133 struggling single-parent families, including six located in Tallahassee.   Dunn’s foundation also provides down payment assistance for the family, and in partnership with corporations, fully furnishes the houses including linens, furniture and appliances.

Dunn, a philanthropic businessman, also earned his Master of Business Administration from Emory University in 2013.

“We would have liked Warrick to forfeit the NFL and stay on for his master’s degree,” Everhart said.  “He would have made a terrific librarian.”

The School of Information, a part of Florida State’s College of Communication & Information, educates future librarians through its Master of Science in Library and Information Studies program.

Video of previous home library recipient from Follett and the School of Information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYxYUeipYC8