Honoring the legacy of President Jimmy Carter, our most influential volunteer, with public celebrations

Atlanta Habitat will join a small group of Habitat leadership, volunteers and homeowners in Washington, D.C. at the Capitol rotunda to pay respects to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteer. Atlanta Habitat also invites the public to sign the Carter Memorial Door at each of its two ReStore locations beginning January 3.

Atlanta Habitat hosted the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in 1988, building 21 homes over the course of a week in partnership with the homebuyer families and with the help of Mr. and Mrs. Carter with 1,000 volunteers.

Over the last four decades, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,447 Habitat homes. The Carters were tireless advocates, active fundraisers, and devoted volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. Their engagement rallied thousands of volunteers and even celebrities, helping the housing nonprofit become internationally recognized for its work to build decent and affordable housing around the world.

“Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was a humanitarian, teacher, author and public servant whose impact on our nation and our world will be remembered with gratitude for generations to come. While we grieve his passing with heavy hearts, we are grateful for the decades he spent building homes and empowering families as a global champion for affordable housing,” said Rosalyn Merrick, Atlanta Habitat president and CEO.

Honoring President Carter in Atlanta

Habitat for Humanity will celebrate President Carter’s life of service with local observances across the country. Atlanta Habitat will join hundreds of affiliates to honor his legacy by inviting the public to sign the Carter Memorial Door in two locations: Atlanta ReStore (January 3-9 at 271 Chester Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316) and South Fulton ReStore (January 9-16 at 5626 Old National Highway, College Park, GA). Both ReStore locations are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, the public can pay their respects to the former president at The Carter Center where he will lie in repose until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7. President Carter will then be transported to Washington, D.C. for a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, January 9 at 10 a.m.

To learn more or to share a tribute, visit habitat.org. For photos and videos of President and Mrs. Carter volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, click here.