Jimmy Carter To Be Honored By Riverside Habitat for Humanity

RIVERSIDE, CA — Jimmy Carter will be honored by the Riverside chapter of Habitat for Humanity, whose volunteers and staff on Friday will erect a memorial paying tribute to the late president at one of the nonprofit organization's buildings on the east end of the city.

Carter, the 39th president of the U.S., died Sunday at 100 in Plains, Georgia, following nearly two years in hospice.

"President Carter's contributions to Habitat for Humanity are among the most vital to our organization," Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford said. "He opened doors of opportunity for families worldwide, and all of us at Habitat have been honored and humbled to work alongside him. We were truly blessed to have his support, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Carter family."

The former chief executive was hands-on in erecting homes for people in need.

"Over the past 35 years, President Carter has led `Carter Family Builds' three separate times in Southern California communities, most recently in 2007 to build and rehabilitate homes in San Pedro," Habitat for Humanity- Riverside Executive Director David Hahn said. "His influence and support will truly be missed."

According to published reports, Carter had a hand in constructing 4,390 homes in his volunteer efforts on behalf of Habitat for Humanity going back to the mid-1980s.

On Friday morning at the Riverside ReStore, the nonprofit's volunteers and staff plan to erect a memorial framed wall and door hailing the late president's contributions. The store, where Habitat for Humanity sells reused materials, furniture and other goods at a discount, is located at 2180 Iowa Ave.

Carter was elected president in 1976 and served from 1977-81. He was defeated for reelection by former California Gov. Ronald Reagan.

A Georgia native and Naval Academy graduate who served aboard a nuclear submarine, Carter was the Peach State's governor from 1971-75, leading up to his presidential victory against Gerald Ford. He mediated peace negotiations between Egypt and Israel in 1978, for which many observers say he should have won the Nobel Peace Prize. However, that honor was not bestowed on Carter until 2002, when the Nobel Committee recognized him for his humanitarian work.

Carter was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed in November 2023 at age 96. They had been married 77 years.