Habitat for Humanity honoring former President Jimmy Carter
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Beginning in 1984, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteered one week a year to build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Jimmy Carter is pictured here working in the Watts/Willowbrook community of Los Angeles in 1995. Credit: Habitat for Humanity
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KENNEBUNK — Habitat for Humanity York County joins Habitat organizations around the world in creating a memorial door to pay tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter. The organization will also livestream the former president’s funeral on Thursday.
Carter, 39th president of the United States and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family, according to a press release from the Carter Center. He was 100, the longest-lived president in United States history.
He and his wife Rosalyn, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for more than 35 years, helping build, renovate, or repair more than 4,400 homes, according a statement from Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity York County announced it will have a memorial door at Kennebunk ReStore, 123 York St., from Jan. 9 - 31. During ReStore shopping hours the public is invited to pay tribute by signing the memorial with their names and personal messages.
The Kennebunk ReStore will open at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 9, and is inviting community members to come watch a live stream of President Carter’s funeral, which will begin at 10 a.m. Habitat will provide coffee and light refreshments and a place for the community to share their reflections.
“President Carter’s contributions to Habitat for Humanity are among the most vital to our organization,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “He opened doors of opportunity for families worldwide, and all of us at Habitat have been honored and humbled to work alongside him. We were truly blessed to have his support, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Carter family.”
In addition to visiting the memorial, members of the public can also visit habitat.org to sign the official online memory book and see Habitat’s global tribute to President Carter.
“President Carter has had a tremendous impact on Habitat for Humanity’s mission around the world,” said Habitat for Humanity York County’s Executive Director, Amy Nucci, “Beyond that he was an incredible example of what it looks like to love our neighbors and believe in the dignity of all people. We’re grateful for his impact in the world, and through our work we will continue to strive to embody his spirit of love, compassion, and hard work.”
Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.