Today, on this National Day of Mourning, we join the world in honoring the life of service of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing.

President Carter was the embodiment of faith in action and his legacy reminds us that we can all do something to help others.

“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose that something. That something — the something that I’ve chosen — is my faith. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have, to try to make a difference,” he said.

When he was on site, President Carter wanted to build because he enjoyed the tasks and because he understood that change could have a blueprint, just like any other construction project. Driving a nail was steering a future. Raising a wall was sounding a call. The beauty of his spirit, however, was that he never allowed these ideas to become mere abstractions. He was simply pitching in, standing shoulder to shoulder with someone who needed a hand.

Two Ways to Pay Tribute to President Carter

Sign our Memory Book: We invite you to join us in remembering President Carter’s remarkable legacy. Share how President Carter has impacted you in our memory book.

Sign a Commemorative Door at a ReStore: We’re raising a door to symbolize the many doors of opportunity that President Carter helped make possible. Join us at either of our Restore locations to pay personal tribute to President Carter by signing the door with your name or personal message.

When: Please join us to pay tribute to President Carter anytime during Restore’s hours (Monday – Saturday, 10AM-6PM)
Where: Both Habitat Omaha Restore locations:

Habitat for Humanity Restore (South)
1003 S 24th St
Omaha, NE 68108

Habitat for Humanity Restore (West)
10910 Emmet St
Omaha, NE 68164

“We’re all the same folks,” President Carter once said. “We all want the same for our children — a better life, one that’s filled with excitement and challenge and hope and self-respect, a better prospect for the future.”

Thank you, President Carter, for your lifetime of service and inspiration.