Burlington, Vermont 12/30/24 — Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins observances worldwide to remember his life of service. He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.
Local staff will miss the periodic announcements about President Carter working on home-build projects around the Country. “Working on the same mission locally as a Former President of the United States gave us extra inspiration each day,” said David Mullin, CEO of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity. “He provided us with a lasting example of what service, and generosity truly are. He didn’t just think about it, or talk about it, he stepped up and helped improve the lives of families in need.”
“We are deeply saddened by President Carter’s passing, and our prayers are with Mrs. Carter and the rest of the Carter family,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “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, the Carters have 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.”
Inspiring millions over the last three decades, President and Mrs. Carter have worked alongside more than 104,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 46 million people worldwide.
In 2016, Habitat named President and Mrs. Carter as the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians for their extraordinary dedication to service in alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
A Habitat for Humanity tribute magazine is available to view here.
About Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that partners with financial donors, local families, and volunteers to build and sell affordable homes in Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Lamoille counties. Habitat homebuyers help build their homes alongside community volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Since its founding in 1984, the affiliate has built over 117 homes in the region and now operates three Habitat ReStores, located in Williston, Milton, and Swanton. To learn more, visit vermonthabitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand-up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower.
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