Habitat for Humanity’s Most Famous Volunteer

Happy President’s Day to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter 

In celebration of President’s Day, we’d like to acknowledge the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. James (Jimmy) Earl Carter, Jr., has always had a voice for affordable, decent housing for all.  

In March of 1984, President Carter resonated with Habitat’s mission of helping families achieve their dream of homeownership when he jogged by the New York City Habitat build and thought to himself, “Rosalynn and I should come up and give them a hand.” 

 

His Deep Commitment and Value Alignment 

President Carter and Mrs. Carter realized Habitat’s mission aligned with their values – they understood the need for families to have a stable, affordable foundation to grow. With this, President and Mrs. Carter formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and have been building to improve homes through the Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter Work Project. 

Although Carter is most known in the world for his notable accomplishments as the President of the United States, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Governor of Georgia, and more, in Habitat’s world, President Carter is known as our most famous volunteer.  

Over the course of 30 years, President Carter has inspired millions of people in 14 countries while working alongside more than 104,000 Habitat volunteers to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes.  

“We have the ambition to share some of our good fortune with others,” Carter says. 

 “That’s one of the most difficult things in life: to cross that chasm between well-off people and families that don’t have a decent home. That’s one of the things Habitat has given to us: an ability to share, side by side, building a home with families that have never had a decent place to live.” 

A fact of Carter’s commitment

Carter suffered a fall in his Georgia home that led to 14 stitches and a visibly black eye. Despite his injuries, he traveled to Nashville to help rally volunteers during the 36th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity. 

We are honored and grateful for President Carter and Mrs. Carter’s continued partnership and support. You can add to their mission of life-changing work by volunteering, donating, or shopping at San Gabriel Valley Habitat ReStores. 

Volunteer Spotlight: Crissy

MEET CRISSY

In honor of National Volunteer Month, this week’s volunteer cheers goes to Crissy (pictured below).

Never scared to pick up a hammer and put her muscles to work, Crissy is one of Habitat’s most well-known volunteers. Wherever she’s volunteering, she does it wholeheartedly!

“When I first got involved with SGV Habitat, I wanted to go big. I wanted a weekday, hands-on volunteer project that resulted in an outcome that I could see and touch. It’s a great fit for me.”

Crissy has helped in more ways than one. Whether it’s at a construction site, at the office, or as a donor, her commitment to helping others is unwavering.

“Since I started volunteering with Habitat, I continue to support the mission in a number of ways. I’ve helped build the Lomita Ave. and Manzanita Ave. homes and worked on the Pasadena home repair projects.

“I am a member of the Women Build Planning Committee where I offer Habitat staff a volunteer perspective and I enjoy my duties helping to recruit and coordinate Crew Leaders for the event. I am also really thrilled about volunteering at the new ReStore in Duarte opening soon. You can bet I’ll be there as a customer as well as a volunteer in the store.

“I feel very fortunate to be a member of the Carpenter’s Club because I know those dollars are going to help support the Habitat mission and strengthen our community.”

Parting words of wisdom from Crissy:

“Invest in your communities, and be role models for the next generation of youth as we seek to make the San Gabriel Valley and our world a better place for everyone in it.”

We are so grateful for Crissy and the significant impact she has had on families and her community. Cheers to Crissy!