Jimmy Carter was a remarkable individual during his one-hundred-year life, embodying many different roles.

He was a president, a peanut farmer, a naval submariner, and even a fan of softball. He balanced his serious duties with lighter moments, such as being a Sunday school teacher and a friend of the famously fun-loving Willie Nelson.

Yet, one constant throughout his life was his unwavering commitment to Habitat for Humanity, the charitable organization based in Georgia. This mission made him and his wife, Rosalynn, the unofficial representatives of the cause.

When Carter, who passed away on Sunday at age 100, first joined Habitat volunteers at a rundown building in New York’s Lower East Side back in 1984, it sparked public interest. People wondered what a man, only four years out of the White House, was doing there with a hammer in hand and sweat on his forehead.

“The sight of a former president of the United States spending nights in a church basement and days doing carpentry was captivating,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat since 2005, in an interview with YSL News a few years before Carter’s passing. “It transformed expectations for life after the presidency and what it means to lead through service.”

This dedication did create some misunderstandings, however. Reckford remarked with a laugh, “Many people think that President Carter started and is in charge of Habitat. But it’s clear he helped elevate our presence.”

Jimmy Carter’s Commitment to Action

The Carters became closely associated with Habitat for Humanity in the eyes of many Americans, largely due to media coverage highlighting a former world leader physically contributing to a worthy cause.

Carter embraced hard work, often seen wearing a broad smile and exhibiting his trademark modest charm. Those who joined him in these Habitat projects noted that he approached this effort with the same level of commitment, skill, and urgency as he did during his presidency.

Every year, the Carters devoted one week to work alongside fellow volunteers, building modest homes for individuals in dire need of housing who could pay some rent but couldn’t secure standard mortgages. The families also participated in the building process, sometimes even constructing their own homes.

This exemplified Carter’s belief that meaningful charity requires a real time investment, showing that good deeds are not just something to do when one has free time.

Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller as a Christian nonprofit, Habitat for Humanity gained significant traction after Carter donned a hardhat in the 1980s. The organization has assisted over 59 million individuals in either constructing or improving their homes. For many years, no matter the weather, the Carters participated in what became known as The Carter Work Project, directly collaborating with over 108,000 volunteers across 14 countries to fix or build over 4,400 homes, according to Habitat statistics.

Wherever they went—from the Mekong Delta to the Gulf Coast, and from Maine to Mississippi—Carter and Rosalynn were soon joined by both public figures and celebrities. However, Carter typically preferred to focus on the task at hand, brushing off the attention to stick to his building schedule.

In 2018, at ages 93 and 90, respectively, the Carters rolled up their sleeves to assist individuals in Mishawaka and South Bend, Indiana, as part of their 35th Carter Work Project. Only the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted their ongoing commitment.

Why did Carter choose Habitat for Humanity? While there are countless organizations that work to help those in need, his close friends attribute his passion to his profound Christian faith.

Carter’s passion for woodworking was deeply influenced by his mother, Lillian, a compassionate nurse who frequently assisted the underprivileged in their community in Plains, Georgia.

This strong sense of purpose motivated the Carters to establish the Carter Center in 1982. Over the following decades, the former president took part in overseeing contentious elections globally, promoted the eradication of Guinea worm disease along with other health issues, and worked towards diminishing the stigma surrounding mental health.

Despite these significant achievements, Carter’s involvement with Habitat for Humanity gained more public attention.

“What’s captivating about Habitat is that it’s just one week of work each year, but it’s very relatable to people because here he is, hammer in hand – everyone gets that,” remarks Steven Hochman, Carter’s assistant and the director of research at the Carter Center. “However, we must not overlook the millions who have had peaceful elections or been cured of diseases, all thanks to his efforts through the Center. He’s led a truly inspirational life.”

No Slacking on Jimmy Carter’s Work Crew

While Carter’s early dedication to Habitat was sincere, the political implication of his participation helped reshape the story surrounding this one-term Democratic president, who was overwhelmingly defeated by Ronald Reagan during the Iranian hostage crisis, notes Doug Brinkley, a historian at Rice University in Houston.

“When Carter picked up that hammer in New York in 1984, we were in the midst of the Reagan revolution, and he was still viewed as a failed ex-president,” explains Brinkley, author of “The Unfinished Presidency: Jimmy Carter’s Journey Beyond the White House,” which explores how Habitat contributed to Carter’s revival. “His involvement was a fresh way to contrast his efforts for the needy with Reagan’s cuts to their benefits.”

Carter described the organization on its website stating, “Habitat has effectively eliminated the charity stigma, replacing it with a sense of partnership.”

“A warm meal is fantastic today, but it’s needed again tomorrow, which is one reason Carter appreciated Habitat – it’s not just giving handouts,” shares Mary Wharton, who became acquainted with the former president while making her 2020 documentary, “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.” This film highlights the political backing Carter received from famous musicians like the Allman Brothers and Bob Dylan.

“The recipients of these homes often work alongside you, fostering a pathway to independence,” she points out. “This truly resonated with him, reflecting his strong faith and military roots.”

In her documentary, Wharton showcases country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood expressing their admiration for Carter’s spirit as they volunteered during a Carter Work Project week in Nashville, Tennessee. The couple has been involved with Habitat for over ten years.

Despite his friendly persona, Wharton emphasizes Carter’s intense focus when it comes to constructing homes for those in need. He implemented a rule that no socializing or autograph signing would occur until after work hours.

He was also quite competitive. Brooks remarks on Carter’s driven nature, noting that he would nonchalantly tell his team that their speed didn’t matter “as long as our house gets done first.”

Carter’s son, James Earl “Chip” Carter III, told Wharton that his father casts a long shadow. Carter consistently caught more fish than anyone else, a competitiveness that permeated all aspects of his life, including his work with Habitat.

“Chip mentioned, ‘If you try to walk in those shoes, you’ll fall because they’re too big,’” Wharton says. “When I met Carter, I expected him to be my charming Southern grandfather, but he got right to the point about everything.”

Brinkley observed the same unwavering determination when he brought college students to help build a home with Carter in the past. The former president wasn’t shy about putting in hard work and keeping an eye out for anyone who wasn’t pulling their weight.

As night fell, bringing laughter and shared dinners of catfish or chicken, the workday remained serious. “Carter didn’t have patience for slackers,” Brinkley recalls. “He’d notice someone who opted for constant pizza runs instead of working. He had high standards, saying, ‘Here I am, you guys match my effort.’ ”

Habitat’s CEO, Reckford, often had volunteers eager to join Carter’s work team during those busy build weeks, yet he always issued a warning.

“I’d let them know, ‘Carter is a skilled carpenter with high expectations. If you want in, be prepared for that honor,’” Reckford reflects. “If things go well, that’s great. But if not, you’d quickly see a glint in his blue eyes reminiscent of a submarine commander. And trust me, you don’t want that.”

In Reckford’s book about Habitat, “Our Better Angels,” which features a foreword by Carter, he describes a work week in the Philippines in 1999. The oppressive humidity made most team members want to quit. But not Carter.

“He walks into a house for an inspection but notices a toilet is missing,” Reckford recounts. “He told the owner, ‘If I show you how to install your toilet, will you help your son with his home?’ Then he gets down on his knees and starts installing a toilet. Just imagine another U.S. president doing that?”