ATLANTA (Dec. 29, 2024) Habitat for Humanity joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. A champion for affordable and decent housing, he and Rosalynn Carter donated their time and leadership each year to build and improve homes with Habitat around the world. President Carter died peacefully Sunday, December 29, 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 Carter family,” said Jonathon Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia more than 40 years ago, and soon brought 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 Carter’s put Habitat on the map, and their legacy lives on in every family we serve around the world.”

excerpt from Habitat for Humanity Int’l press release – photos courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Int’l

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 and 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.  The Carter Work Project has rallied 108,100 volunteers to build, renovate and repair 4,447 Habitat for Humanity Homes in 14 countries, all while raising the awareness of the critical need for affordable housing.

“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.

Memorial Service, Carter Memorial Door Frame and Carter Build

A Memorial Service was held at our ReStore in New Smyrna Beach on Thursday, January 9, at 10am, in alignment with the national funeral service held in Washington, DC.

We also joined other Habitat Organizations around the world by participating in a memorial door frame event, celebrating the life and service of Jimmy Carter.

The door frame symbolizes the many doors, literally and figuratively, the Carter’s helped to open by working with Habitat homeowners around the world as they built places to call home.

This door frame was set up at our Gala and signed by guests, then installed in a new Habitat home built in New Smyrna Beach.  Volunteers continued to sign the door, with good wishes for the new homeowner, at our recent Carter Build on February 21st.  The door will be painted, but the messages will be present underneath, as a symbol of goodwill for the new homeowners.

SEV Habitat for Humanity Carter Build, February 21, 2025 in New Smyrna Beach

Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity | P.O. Box 1268 | Edgewater, FL 32132 US