The history between Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter and Habitat for Humanity began in September 1984 when the former U. S. president visited a local building site following a public speaking event at a New York church.
For context, Millard and Linda Fuller created Habitat for Humanity in 1976. The company’s overall goal is to build not-for-profit homes for those in need. The web page for the Dallas region of Habitat for Humanity states the building site piqued Jimmy’s interest because he and his wife had previously volunteered for the nonprofit organization in March of that same year in Americus, Georgia, where it was initially founded.
At the time, when Jimmy was visiting the building site, it was reported that there was a volunteer shortage. When the Nobel Peace Prize winner was made aware of the situation, he, alongside his wife Rosalynn, gathered a handful of volunteers and helped repair a “six-story apartment building.” Following the building’s completion, 19 families were able to move in.
Since Jimmy and Rosalynn’s efforts that fateful day in 1984, the website claims that the couple has worked with a total of 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to help “repair, renovate, and build” thousands of homes. In addition to the couple’s efforts and shared values with the organization, Jimmy, Rosalynn, and Habitat for Humanity created the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project is a week-long building event that occurs in various locations. The last event took place in Charlotte, North Carolina and was hosted by country singers Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks.
With the recent news of Jimmy’s decision to live the remainder of his life at home surrounded by those he loved while receiving hospice care for an unidentified illness, Habitat for Humanity’s official Instagram account paid tribute to the 98-year-old on President’s Day.
While sharing a series of photos of Jimmy volunteering over the years, the company’s caption read, “On #PresidentsDay, Habitat for Humanity expresses thanks and gratitude for over 39 years of partnership and support from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. While we can quantify the number of houses built during past Carter Work Projects (4,390), the number of people inspired by President Carter’s heartfelt words and actions in support of our mission are countless.”
The company wrapped up the caption by sending well wishes to Jimmy and his family.