Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln remembers Carters as ‘great Habitat Humanitarians’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – During his presidency, Jimmy Carter was well known for championing human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy.

Carter built on that reputation after leaving office by establishing the Carter Center and volunteering closely with Habitat for Humanity.

“I think the best thing to say about President Carter and his wife were that they were great Habitat Humanitarians and had a 35-year history of helping out Habitat for Humanity with affordable housing for those who are less fortunate,” said Shay Homeyer, the CEO and executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln.

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The Habitat Humanitarians are a group of volunteers honored for their longtime commitment to the organization.

The first Habitat group volunteer project in New York in In September 1984 is now recognized as the first annual Carter Work Project.

This event takes place every year in a different location around the world for one week.

Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, worked with countless volunteers in 14 different countries to repair, renovate and build over 4,447 homes.

“They had just very giving hearts and just wanted to see people who are struggling have the same opportunities as others. I think that they just saw the impact in their own community when they started in 1984,” Shay said. “I think that they knew that the impact for sheltering all of those who are less fortunate is just, it is so good for the soul.”

Habitat for Humanity said Carter said it best when he said, “Habitat has successfully removed the stigma of charity by substituting it with a sense of partnership.”

Shay said Habitat for Humanity is always looking for more volunteers just like Carter.

“His impact was not only here in the States but around the world, and we want to make sure that anyone who is wanting to volunteer can visit our website and sign up to be a volunteer,” she said.