FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) – Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, who died Sunday, spent more than 30 years building homes for families in South Florida and around the world.
His humanitarian work has touched many people in South Florida, including Broward, where Habitat for Humanity is located.
As a testament to his influence, 20 families will move into new homes in Fort Lauderdale by summer 2025 as part of Habitat for Humanity’s efforts.
“Wherever we live, in almost every country on earth, we strive to lead by example. When all hope is lost, at least consider what can be done on a small scale.” Carter said in an interview with 7News a few years ago.
With the Habitat for Humanity Jimmy Carter Work Project, volunteers with the former president traveled to countries like Haiti and parts of the United States to build homes that offer hope to future homeowners.
“As I’ve said for 30 years, we’ve never participated in a Habitat project and not gotten more than we put into it,” Carter said at one of the construction sites. he said during his speech.
Although this organization does not provide housing for free, it does give homeownership opportunities to people who cannot otherwise afford to purchase a home.
Across South Florida, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami has built more than 1,000 homes and Habitat for Humanity of Broward has built more than 600 homes.
Jimmy and his wife were active participants in home building throughout the area.
“He didn’t take breaks, he was just focused on getting his job done, building his home and getting it done,” said Nancy Robin, CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Broward.
The former president was spotted at a construction site in South Florida several years ago, contributing to what Habitat calls “sweat equity.”
“They were there every morning at 7 a.m. like everyone else, and even if we had to stay later than scheduled until 7, 8 or 9 p.m., he He was the last one to stay and go home,” said Nancy Daly, board member emeritus. Broward Human Habitat.
Even in his later years, Robin remembers his dedication.
“I think he was 97 or 98 years old. At his last physique, he took a fall. They fixed him up and he was right out there hammering and working.” she said.
Carter’s commitment to helping others can be traced back to her mother, Lillian. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in India.
During an interview with 7News in Haiti 13 years ago, he reflected on a book she wrote about her time there.
“This is a picture of my mother and a little girl. The gardener gave the mother vegetables from a wealthy family. The mother had no way to repay him, so she taught her little daughter to read.” Carter said.
A few years later, he met a woman who is now an adult, he said.
“She said, ‘I’m the president of the university!'” Carter said.
“Is she the president of the university? What would her mother have said?” 7News reporter Nicole Linsalata asked.
“She would have said, ‘I’m not surprised,'” Carter said.
Robin spoke of Carter’s dedication to making a difference in people’s lives.
“When I looked back and saw the images of him and the videos of him doing that work, the feeling of making a difference in the lives of others felt so real,” she said.
She hopes his death reminds others of all the work Habitat for Humanity does and inspires people to get involved.
The former president’s National Day of Remembrance will be observed on January 9th.
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