MOUNT VERNON —Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Ohio joins the world
in celebrating the 100th birthday of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins observances around the world to honor his life of service. Carter turned 100 on Oct. 1.
He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.
In honor of President Carter’s devotion and impact on Habitat for Humanity around the globe, Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Ohio, illuminated the Rastin Observation Tower and Pedestrian Footbridge in blue and green, Habitat for Humanity’s colors on the evening of Sept. 30th, the eve of his 100th birthday.
“It is our small way, here in Knox County Ohio, to say thank you for the years of service, not only to our country, but to an organization that is almost inseparable from his and Rosalynn’s impact,” said Terry Schulz, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Ohio.
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 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 & Rosalynn Carter Work Project).
Each year since then, the Carters have volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and worldwide.
President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984-1987.
“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. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired, and wept.”
Over the last three decades, President and Mrs. Carter have inspired millions by working alongside more than 104,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate, and repair 4,390 homes. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 46 million people worldwide.
In 2016, Habitat named President and Mrs. Carter as the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians for their extraordinary dedication to service in alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
About Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Ohio
Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Ohio, was established in 1987 when its founder, Millard Fuller, visited First Congregational United Church of Christ in Mt. Vernon.
Inspired by his message, members of the church chartered a fully volunteer-driven Habitat
affiliate. Since 1987, Knox County Habitat has served over 35 families through partnership to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing. To learn more, visit https://www.hfhknoxoh.org.
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