Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento is honoring the legacy of President Jimmy Carter with a memorial tribute that for his work with the organization, the tribute that begins Friday, will later create a lasting connection to the Folsom community.
Known for his lifelong commitment to affordable housing, President Carter’s work with Habitat inspired millions and transformed the lives of families worldwide. In his memory, signed pieces from the tribute will be incorporated into Habitat’s upcoming 10-home community in Folsom, symbolizing his enduring influence on building homes and hope.
The memorial, hosted at the Sacramento ReStore, will feature framed walls, doors, and 2x4s, representing the countless “doors opened” and “walls raised” during Carter’s decades-long partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Guests are invited to sign these items with messages of gratitude and reflection, creating a tangible tribute to his legacy. These pieces will later become permanent elements of the Folsom housing project, connecting his mission to the future homes of local families.
President Carter, who passed away on December 29 at his home in Plains, Georgia, dedicated over 40 years of his life to Habitat for Humanity. Alongside his wife Rosalynn, he first volunteered with Habitat in 1984 in Americus, Georgia, near his hometown. Later that year, the Carters joined volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building for families in need of affordable housing. That project became the first Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, which grew into an annual event uniting thousands of volunteers across the United States and 14 countries. Over the years, the Carters personally worked on building or renovating 4,447 homes.
“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 once said of his work with Habitat. “What’s opened 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.”
President Carter’s commitment to Habitat went far beyond construction sites. As a member of Habitat’s board of directors from 1984 to 1987, he helped shape the organization’s mission and expand its global reach. His tireless advocacy brought attention to the housing crisis and helped make Habitat for Humanity an internationally recognized leader in affordable housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 62 million people worldwide.
“Our hearts are heavy as we remember the incredible life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter,” said Leah Miller, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento. “His hands-on dedication to building homes and hope has been an inspiration to all of us. He taught us that service is love in action, and his impact will live on in every nail we drive and every home we build.”
Habitat named President and Rosalynn Carter the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians in 2016, recognizing their unparalleled dedication to service and alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
The memorial tribute will officially begin with a dedication ceremony at the Sacramento ReStore, located at 819 North 10th Street in Sacramento, on Friday, January 10 at 9 a.m. The event will include opening remarks, reflections, testimonies, a prayer, and the dedication of the memorial. Following the ceremony, the display will remain open to the public through Thursday, January 18 during regular ReStore hours, offering the community an opportunity to honor Carter’s life and work. RSVPs are appreciated but not required and can be made online HERE.
Through this tribute, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento seeks to celebrate the life of a man whose service and compassion opened doors for so many. By incorporating these signed pieces into homes in Folsom, Carter’s legacy will live on, continuing to inspire hope and opportunity for generations to come.
