Communities honor former president Jimmy Carter's global impact on Habitat for Humanity
SEATTLE - As the nation paid its final respects to former president Jimmy Carter, communities remembered some of his greatest volunteer efforts with Habitat for Humanity.
On Thursday, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties held a memorial to honor Carter’s global impact on the nonprofit.
"Today we want to recognize the tremendous impact that President Carter had on Habitat and then also inspire the community to take that legacy and carry it with us forward," said Brett D’Antonio, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County.
Carter and his wife Rosalyn were diligent volunteers and advocates of Habitat, getting involved in 1984 when the organization was in its infancy.
"He was starting to spread our mission across the country and globe. And his involvement and advocacy for the organization and for affordable housing as a whole is the reason that Habitat is a household name today," said D’Antonio. "Habitat for Humanity brings community together to build affordable housing for residents here in King County, across Washington, and the world. Our homes are sold to home buyers at an affordable price. So, they get a place that they own, put down roots, and they can build wealth as well."
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The local CEO said the former president’s legacy included working alongside his wife and 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries—building, renovating, and repairing nearly 4,400 affordable homes.
"President and Mrs. Carter didn’t simply lend their names to a worthy cause. They rolled up their sleeves, they put on work gloves, and they joined thousands of volunteers in building homes for families in need," D’Antonio spoke to the crowd at the memorial.
To understand Carter’s impact on Habitat for Humanity, it’s worth listening to the stories of the lives that were changed by the nonprofit. Lives like Anettte Banda. She and Habitat staff built her home in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood 20 years ago.
"It’s not just a roof over our head, it’s our sanctuary. It’s our launching pad of dreams. Just for me alone, so many doors opened," said Banda.
The decades and countless volunteer hours Carter and his wife contributed to the organization inspired many others to do the same.
"I was so inspired that I decided that I was going to not only build my own home, but build my neighbor’s home, and my next neighbor’s home, and my next neighbor’s home, and then get on another project and build their homes," said Banda.
Despite Carter’s passing at 100 years old, his fight for access to affordable housing is alive around the world, even in western Washington.
"Habitat is busy. The community has really stepped up in the last few years because the need is so great. So, we have about 300 homes that are in permitting or under construction here across the county and we’ve got more on the way," said D’Antonio.
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President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn spent decades helping build thousands of homes with Habitat for Humanity.
As the nation paid tribute to his final resting moments, local communities like Seattle signed and raised a door to symbolize the many doors of opportunity Carter helped open through his life of service. It’s a legacy that will continue for generations.
"I am living his legacy. My children’s children will be living his legacy. And I’m so thankful for that," said Banda.
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