STRATFORD —Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) as well as the international arm of the organization join the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at 100 on Sunday, Dec. 29.
The late President and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization, according to Carolyn Vermont, CEO of Habitat CFC.
“President Jimmy Carter’s legacy of compassion, service, and commitment to affordable housing will forever inspire us,” Vermont said. “Through his work with Habitat for Humanity, he touched countless lives, demonstrating his profound faith and steadfast dedication to helping others. A visionary leader and true humanitarian, his memory will guide us as we strive to build a better, more caring world. Rest peacefully, President Carter.”
Carter served as the 39th president from 1977-1981.
Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford called Jimmy Carter a champion for affordable and decent housing. President Carter died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family.
“We are deeply saddened by President Carter’s passing, and our prayers are with the rest of the Carter family,” Reckford said. “President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia, soon bringing worldwide attention to the need for decent and affordable housing. We are grateful for the incredible impact the Carters have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example. The Carters put Habitat for Humanity on the map, and their legacy will live on in every family we serve around the world.”
After leaving the White House, the Carters sought out 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.
That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Each year since then until 2019, the Carters volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States 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 has said. “What’s opened up 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.”
Over the last three decades, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,447 Habitat homes. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 62 million people around the world.
The official state funeral in Washington, D.C., for former President Jimmy Carter will be held on Jan. 9, the White House confirmed Monday, Dec. 30, CNN reports.
President Joe Biden declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning in a proclamation on Sunday.
“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe,” Biden said of Carter.
Biden will deliver a eulogy at Carter’s funeral service held at the Washington National Cathedral, a White House official said Monday.
Habitat for Humanity will celebrate President Carter’s life of service with local observances. To learn more or to share a tribute, visit habitat.org.
