Former President Jimmy Carter will be honored by Habitat for Humanity organizations and their ReStore locations in the Inland Empire and beyond in the coming days, as they plan to build memorials paying tribute to the late president.
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 in a news release. “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, and Habitat for Humanity chapters in Pomona Valley and Riverside are planning to honor him by building memorial walls and doors where the public can comes sign their names and personal messages.
Beginning Thursday, Jan. 2, Pomona Valley Habitat for Humanity’s memorial wall and doors will be accessible at the Montclair ReStore, 4737 Holt Blvd, Montclair, and will remain up through Jan. 31.
Habitat for Humanity Riverside’s memorial framed wall and door will be at Riverside ReStore, 2180 Iowa Ave., Riverside, beginning Friday, Jan. 3.
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.
“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 in a release. “His influence and support will truly be missed.”
Pomona Valley Director Christine Charland echoed the sentiments.
We “will remain ever-thankful” for the Carters’ “support of our mission – we will continue to build more homes and together change more lives,” Charland said in a news release.
Carter was elected president in 1976 and served from 1977-81. He was defeated for reelection by Ronald Reagan.
Carter was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died in November 2023 at age 96. They had been married 77 years.
City News Service contributed to this report.
