We've read what Virginia O'Hanlon, an 8-year-old, wrote to the editor of The Sun: "Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?" Responding, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," the editor elaborated, "He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy."

Atlanta Falcon running back Warrick Dunn stands as a testimony to the editor's statement, demonstration of love, generosity and devotion for his late mother. He will surprise a single mom with a $5,000 check toward the down payment on her new mortgage. Then, with the help of sponsors and contributors to his Warrick Dunn Foundation Homes for the Holidays project, he fills their new homes with furniture and other essentials. Even the refrigerator is stocked.

Thirty-three-year old Dunn, the oldest of six kids, says: "Home ownership is the American dream. Setting people up in their own home can have 10- or even 15-year positive effect on their lives."

Although Dunn's single mother, Betty Dunn Smothers, worked as a police officer, in addition to taking several side jobs to provide for her family and to make ends meet, she could not fulfill her dream of having a home of her own. However, long workdays didn't stop Betty Dunn Smothers from being a constant presence in her children's lives, especially for her eldest son Warrick, a high school track and football star. One tragic day, in January of Dunn's senior year, while moonlighting as a security guard, escorting a grocery store manager to make the night bank deposit, his mother was fatally shot during a robbery attempt.

As Warrick Dunn's dream of playing in the NFL came to fruition, gratefully, he wanted to honor his mother. The Warrick Dunn Foundation Homes for the Holidays project is all about giving hope to those who are honestly striving to better their lives. "We're just helping them to get down the road, but they have to steer. They are still driving the car. We are just giving them a boost," says Dunn modestly.

His Homes for Holidays program began in 1997 in Tampa. Though started with Christmas home giveaways, the project has grown to include Mother's Day and Thanksgiving presentations. After signing with the Atlanta Falcons in 2002, Dunn further expanded the program to include Atlanta and his hometown of Baton Rouge. Deserving recipients are identified by teaming up with charities, such as Habitat for Humanity, that build affordable homes for low-income working families.

"Owning a home was my mom's dream, I am happy to represent her and represent her name," Dunn says. What a great son! There is more than plenty of media limelight on the celebrities that behave badly. I believe it's time for the media to focus on great personalities like Dunn. May the Lord Almighty bless Warrick Dunn with a long, healthy life so that he will continue to fulfill the dreams of hardworking single mothers who struggle just to feed, clothe and shelter their kids.

Along with all the trimmings, jolly, holy atmosphere, gifts, traditional foods, it's vital that we teach our children about the importance of the holiday spirit, the joy of giving, of caring for the less fortunate. Adults should help children understand that Christmas is not just about "I, me, and mine" and "Give me, give me, and give me more." Read or tell children stories of great human beings who have made positive differences in society with their kindness and foresightedness.

Now, to answer to the previously stated question: Christmas is a time to believe in Santa and recognize his presence in the people around us; they have silently made and keep making the difference -- even without the suit, the white beard, big belly, and the jolly laugh. It's time to reiterate, "Yes, Virginia, herein is additional proof that Santa Claus is real."

Merry Christmas to all!

Mandakini Hiremath is a Claflin instructor and coordinator of the university's writing center.

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