Habitat for Humanity of Summit & Wasatch Counties, Utah joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins observances around the world to remember his life of service. He and his late wife 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. This is a rerelease of a blog post we shared in February 2023.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's legacy goes back more than half a century. His environmental contributions are as much a part of his legacy as his widespread volunteerism with Habitat for Humanity.
The former president began volunteering with the organization in 1984 during a build in Americus, GA near his home in Plains. Later that year, he, his wife Rosalynn, and a few volunteers they recruited, assisted the organization in New York City.
He walked by the work site and realized they were short on volunteers. The selfless act contributed to 19 families having apartment housing.
Before that, Carter used his time as the United States' 39th president to advocate new environmental laws. With his contributions to Habitat for Humanity, Carter has one of the most selfless legacies in American history.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and the Carter Work Project
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn were strong voices for affordable housing for almost four decades. Their endeavors have expanded around the globe alongside Habitat for Humanity.
They've worked alongside over 100,000 volunteers in at least fourteen countries. Their efforts have helped provide housing and home repairs to families who otherwise wouldn't be able to gain or sustain homeownership.
It's estimated that Jimmy Carter contributed to at least 4,300 homes.
Resiliency and Commitment
Carter's legacy also speaks to his resiliency. Back in 2019, former President Jimmy Carter, at the age of 95, fell during a home build. He sustained an injury requiring fourteen stitches, leaving him with a bruised eye.
The mishap didn't stop him from honoring his commitment for the following day. To the surprise of many, he arrived in Nashville ready to lend a hand at the following site.
His resiliency that day matched his commitment to the organization he had maintained since the 1980s.
Solving Environmental Issues
Creating sustainable housing for everyone involves new environmental laws and eco-friendly solutions. During his presidency, Jimmy Carter's ecological contributions included implementing the Department of Energy.
He used his executive power in Alaska to save 56 million acres of public land by using the 1906 Antiquities Act. His love for Alaska continued long after his term as president.
In 1988, Carter wrote his memoir, "An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections." In the book, he discusses the importance of preserving the earth for future generations. He wrote two more memoirs, "The Virtues of Aging" in 1998 and "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety" in 2016.
His eco-friendly projects during his presidency included installing solar panels at the White House.
Legacy
Regarding legacy, former President Jimmy Carter will be remembered as many things. The list includes a humanitarian, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize twice, and a selfless volunteer.
His contributions to Habitat for Humanity are cemented in the fibers of every home he touched. He motivated many people to join our volunteer ranks and helped make the road to homeownership easier for thousands of families.
President Jimmy Carter died at home December 29, 2024. He is preceded in death by his wife Rosalynn, who passed away in November 2023. Funeral arrangements will be posted by The Carter Center.
