Jimmy Carter has a long history with Habitat for Humanity – even pitching in on builds in his 90s

In 2019, former President Jimmy Carter showed up at a Habitat for Humanity site in Nashville with a smile – and a black eye. One day earlier, Carter, then 95, had fallen and needed 14 stitches, but he kept up his commitment to the organization. It's a commitment he's held since the 1980s.

Habitat for Humanity, which helps homeowners build homes alongside volunteers, was founded in Americus, Georgia, nearby Carter's hometown of Plains. Americus happens to be where Carter first volunteered with the organization in 1984.

Later that year, Carter happened to walk by another Habitat build in New York City, according to the organization. He noticed there were few volunteers, so he and his wife, Rosaylnn, joined them. They brought some more volunteers with them, helping to renovate the apartment building that would house 19 families.