Kenneth Young, a builder and designer based in Rhode Island, began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in the 1990s. His first “Carter build” in 1995 in Watts, California sparked his passion for the cause. Since then, Young has participated in 20 builds, some of which were alongside the 39th president of the United States. Young’s favorite memory of Carter was during a build in Budapest in 1996, where Carter showed his playful side by getting smacked in the face with a balloon by twin toddlers.
Don Shaw and Thomas Trumble, lifelong friends and volunteers with the Habitat for Humanity chapter in Hartford, Connecticut, also worked with Carter on various builds around the world. They joined Carter in projects focused on reconciliation from apartheid in South Africa and building homes in Africa.
Carter’s presence as a natural leader inspired volunteers to work hard and efficiently. Volunteers often felt like they were part of Carter’s “inner-circle.” Despite his celebrity status, Carter was known for rolling up his sleeves and working alongside volunteers. Shaw described Carter as a “benevolent taskmaster” who was focused on getting the job done efficiently.
After a day of hard work, volunteers gathered under a huge tent to share a meal and reflect on the day’s accomplishments. Carter’s favorite ritual was to hand the keys and a Bible to the new occupants of the completed homes.
“He really cares about the people that we’re building for,” Young said. Former President Jimmy Carter is shown in a photograph working on the construction site during the building of 100 houses as part of Jimmy Carter’s Work Project 2002, at the Cato Manor, north of Durban, South Africa. Carter will be sorely missed, the volunteers said. “God knows we’re all going to miss President Carter when he leaves us, but I’m hoping his legacy will continue quite a long way forward,” Young said. Shaw mentioned, “Being around the Carters was just magical.” Volunteers emphasized that Jimmy Carter’s legacy lives on through Habitat for Humanity. This information was originally reported on abcnews.go.com.
