Throughout the year, scattered legacy doors have been gathering signatures and messages in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, tributing his decades of service and dedication to Habitat that have inspired generations of affordable housing advocates.
The doors have been featured in five Triangle ReStore locations and at several events throughout Habitat Wake’s 40th year, showcasing the community’s collective dedication to building homes, communities and hope.
The doors will later be painted and installed in future Habitat homes, with each name, picture and message blessing a future Habitat homeowner and their family for generations to come.
The Carters are known for their commitment to serving others both at home and abroad. They first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in their hometown of Americus, Georgia, in 1984 and spent the rest of their lives building homes alongside thousands of volunteers in Carter Work Projects, bringing attention and resources to the issue of affordable housing and making Habitat for Humanity a household name.
“I had the privilege of meeting President Carter twice– once at a Carter Work Project in Birmingham, Alabama, where I worked for 15 years before joining Habitat Wake. I also volunteered at Carter Work Project the next year in Haiti," said Habitat Wake CEO Patricia Burch.
“He was as down-to-earth and humble as anyone could be, and while he was willing to serve as figurehead for Habitat at these events, he was clear that his main purpose on site was to work, just like everyone else.”
Patricia Burch, VP of Construction Brad McHugh and Director of Land Development Ellie Burgess joined forces with volunteers across the globe in Austin, Texas, last week for the 2025 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
Throughout the week, thousands of volunteers worked on 25 Habitat homes at Whisper Valley that feature an advanced energy-efficient design, including geothermal heat pumps and solar panels.
The project honors former President Carter’s lifelong commitment to creating decent, affordable homes and building a more sustainable future for all.
Looking to get involved with Habitat? Learn more about volunteering!