President Jimmy Carter & Wife, Rosalynn, Celebrate 30 Years of Involvement in Habitat for Humanity, Volunteering in Rebuilding Home in Union Beach

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn shown with volunteers working on the Habitat for Humanity Home in Union Beach. *Photos by Joe Bayona

UNION BEACH/PERTH AMBOY – Perth Amboy will be breaking ground on a vacant lot at 440 Lawrie St. for a Habitat for Humanity home.

Originally a spokesperson for the Morris County Habitat for Humanity said a Perth Amboy resident would not necessarily occupy the house. At a Caucus Meeting on 10/7/13 it was determined that a Perth Amboy resident would definitely occupy the house.

One of the qualifications of occupying a Habitat for Humanity House is that the homeowner has to help in the building of the house. The difference in the home being built in Perth Amboy is the occupants are not necessarily being placed because of the devastation of Superstorm Sandy.

In Union Beach, it is just the opposite. In the January 2, 2013 issue of the Amboy Guardian, there were photos taken of how whole neighborhoods were leveled in that town by Superstorm Sandy. This is why Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, along with local and nationwide volunteers converged on the town to help in their rebuilding.

Former President Jimmy Carter and Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter celebrated the 37th Anniversary of the Habitat for Humanity organization. The Carters have been involved with Habitat for Humanity for the last 30 of the organization’s 37 years.

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project for 2013 started out in Oakland, California making its way across the country. The last project for the year ended in Union Beach, New Jersey.

Habitat For Humanity helps those living in substandard conditions and people affected by natural disasters. This is regardless of race, nationality or political affiliation.

Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat of Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International is headquarterd in Americus, GA. CEO Jonathan Reckford also participated in this event. During an interview, Mr. Reckford said 21 years ago he was working at Walt Disney World and worked in Corporate America. When he first got involved with Habitat for Humanity, it was for a project involving building 2 houses. He became active in his local church by helping the clergy manage the finances of the church. He became more involved with Habitat for Humanity after he became an Executive Pastor in his church. This led him on the path of eventually becoming elected as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. His nephew, Spencer worked on one of the Union Beach houses and his son, Alexander also volunteers (on other projects for Habitat for Humanity).

“I’m away about 100 nights a year as CEO. “

When questioned about the worst conditions that he has seen since joining Habitat for Humanity, Reckford mentioned two: the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.”

Nancy Doran, President of Habitat for Humanity Monmouth County stated that 40 homes in Union Beach were being repaired. Besides Union Beach, they also were overseeing damaged homes from Aberdeen through Ocean Twp. 80% of this area was affected by Sandy.

CEO Jonathan Reckford said Union Beach was the last stop on the 2013 tour of rebuilding damaged homes. “Habitat for Humanity has spawned a new project of bringing hope here. The Carters are the face of this new hope. This is my 8th year of working with the Carters and I am humbled and honored to work alongside them.”

President Carter remarked that he and his wife had been worried about you along the east coast. “We had to jack up houses 9 feet (in Union Beach) to prepare them for future storms.”

Nancy Doran, President of Habitat for Humanity Monmouth County, Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter, and Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International answered questions at a press conference in Union Beach. The Carters were on their last stop working with volunteers on a Humanity House to be occupied by the Lamberson Family.

Someone from the media asked Carter why Habitat for Humanity helps those in foreign countries, Carter said that, “It doesn’t matter in what foreign country the homes are built, people are the same. It’s all about helping your fellow man which is all about the Christian faith. Care and love for human beings are a common thread.”

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter said, “We are glad to be here, and it is our last day. I am looking forward to going home. I want to thank the people who worked so hard.”

She also related a story about a family in Washington who were living in their car. “They had a young son. After they were able to be placed into a decent home, their son soon became one of the top students in his class.”

“Helping families find a decent place to live helps in reducing crimes amongst our youth.” Mrs. Carter related a story about one woman who was living in a substandard apartment with her family . This woman was worried every time there was a knock on the door, fearing it was police coming to tell her that her son was in trouble.”

The Former President related that they went to New Orleans 5 times after Hurricane Katrina hit. “And those homes had to be raised 3 feet compared to the 9 feet required in Union Beach. We don’t care about the politics, religion, or race of any of our volunteers or the people we are building the housing for. All of our children are involved in Habitat for Humanity and my son, Chip and his wife worked on the project in New York this year. The grandchildren are also involved and those who are too young will be in training to become volunteers.”

Rosalynn Carter stated, “It was fun going back to New York where we first built 19 apartments.”

Former President Carter said, “When we had the big storm in Georgia, 31 people were killed and 5100 homes were wiped away. Some people who belonged to Habitat for Humanity came to our church in Plains, GA to talk about what the program involved. The headquarters is only 9 miles away from our church. The first project we did with them took place in Georgia. We found out that those in Habitat for Humanity shared our Christian values.”

Rosalynn Carter, added, “Habitat for Humanity is addictive.”