President Carter to build homes in Baltimore, Annapolis
Habitat for Humanity's most famous booster is former President Jimmy Carter, so you can imagine the glee of any chapter that gets him as a volunteer.
Take Baltimore's Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake -- it's holding two public announcements today to spread the word about its good luck.
Carter and wife Rosalynn will be helping build homes at one of the chapter's sites in East Baltimore and another in Annapolis on Oct. 5, part of their annual Habitat work week. (Other chosen ones this year: Washington; Birmingham, Ala.; and the twin Minnesota cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.)
"Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project for 27 years has been a catalyst for increasing the work being done in local communities and empowering people to bring hope, stability and housing solutions," Habitat for Humanity International said in a press release.
Mike Mitchell, chief executive of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, said he's "thrilled" that Carter "has decided to join with us in raising the visibility of the lack of simple, decent, affordable housing in our community along with the paradox of need alongside the plenty."
"I'm referring to the thousands of vacants in our community that could be homes and harbors from crime, poor health, and environmental degradation," Mitchell wrote me in an email.
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Comments
For my money, Jimmy Carter is one of the most interesting and admirable men in America even if you totally discount his years as president. From a lifelong marriage to his high school sweetheart to a brilliant commission as a naval officer to the governorship of Georgia to his humanitarian work to extremely delicate diplomacy and a Nobel Peace Prize.
The world needs more men like President Carter, and as far as I'm concerned we should give him the key to the city of Baltimore.
Posted by: The Baltimore Chop | April 22, 2010 12:04 PM
You have to hand it to Jimmy Carter. He's 86 and still working. Ive known people that worked beside him at Habitat builds and they say he really does work hard. Its definitly not for show.
I have had the privilige of volunteering at Chesepeake Habitat for Humanity and i even worked alongside MR Mitchell on one ocassion.
I can say that hes a very nice guy and that Habitat has definitly turned many blocks around.
It should be noted that not only do they help lower income people afford houses. But in Baltimore they rehab 5-7 houses on a block .So that the whole block gets better .
To make Baltimore a better place its going to have to be by making blocks better, block by block. There is no easy solutions in my opinion.
Cogratulations to Chesepeake Habitat for Humanity for having jimmy Carter visit them!
They are a great organisation and a great bunch of people !
Posted by: Pete from Highlandtown | April 22, 2010 8:38 PM
Jimmy Carter - a man of peace and my personal hero. God Bless you Mr. President for all the good you have done in this world.
Posted by: Wendy Gunyula | April 23, 2010 4:02 PM
it is great to see Habitat projects all around the country. Let's all help out with home improvement projects and make housing good for all.
Posted by: Sabine Schoenberg | May 29, 2011 9:43 PM