Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County Mourns the Passing of President Jimmy Carter
We join the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a tireless champion for affordable and decent housing. Together with his wife, Rosalynn Carter, he dedicated his time and leadership each year to build and improve homes with Habitat for Humanity around the globe. President Carter passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his loved ones.
Our hearts are heavy as we remember the incredible life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter. His hands-on dedication to building homes and hope has been an inspiration to all of us. He taught us that service is love in action, and his impact will live on in every nail we drive and every home we build.
President Carter’s work with Habitat has made a profound and lasting impact on countless individuals and families. Through his support of affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity has been able to break the cycle of poverty and create a foundation for better lives. President Carter understood this mission deeply, and he committed himself fully to this cause. His unwavering support helped shape Habitat into the globally recognized organization it is today.
After leaving the White House, the Carters sought meaningful ways to continue their commitment to social justice and basic human rights. They first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia, near their home of Plains, in March 1984. Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. This marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project, later renamed the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Each year since then, the Carters have volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the U.S. and around the world. President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984-1987. “I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter once said. “What’s opened that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired and wept.”
For over three decades, President and Mrs. Carter inspired millions. Together, they worked alongside more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate, and repair 4,447 homes. Since Habitat’s founding in 1976, the organization has served more than 62 million people around the world.
In 2016, Habitat for Humanity honored President and Mrs. Carter by naming them the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians, recognizing their extraordinary dedication to service and their alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
“Through his leadership, commitment to peace, and dedication to humanitarian causes, President Carter has left an indelible mark on the world. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him and the countless lives he helped improve.” Misty Bastoni – CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County.
