Remembering the good deeds done by former President Jimmy Carter
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Remembering the many good deeds done by former President Jimmy Carter.
KYMA spoke with a local Veteran and Habitat For Humanity who shared more about their experience working alongside the late president.
Jimmy Carter leaves behind an incomparable legacy of compassion and humanitarianism. He has touched many lives across the world, including one local Veteran here in Yuma.
Clarence Jenkins shares what he remembers about meeting Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in the late 1990s: "I'd say very down south type Southerners, very polite, professional, kind and courteous, and very humble. Man, he did a lot of things for a lot of people, not only in the U.S. but all over the world."
This led to Jenkins meeting Carter during his visit to an embassy.
"We met him in Caracas, Venezuela. During that time, he was touring around South America and other parts of the world doing his Habitat For Humanity. Just got a chance to talk to him, and we always had to remind ourselves who we were talking to because he was so genuine," says Jenkins.
One endeavor that sticks out in Carter's work is Habitat For Humanity helping families build and renovate affordable houses.
Erin Rank, CEO and President at Habitat For Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, had the pleasure of working alongside the Carters on several projects.
"You're always nervous meeting a president and he makes you feel immediately at ease and one of the ways he did that was with his humor," says Rank.
But aside from his warm personality, Carter was all about getting the job done.
"He was very serious about getting the work done. Not only would he arrive early and work to the very end of the day, but you never dare pull out your cell phone for photos because as he would say 'That takes two people away from getting this house finished,'" Rank shared.
Now despite the Carters' absence, Habitat For Humanity and the Carter Center are keeping the relationship strong and flourishing.
Rank says "President Carter wanted some of the space at his memorial to be open to Habitat For Humanity leaders and homeowners. Every state has affiliates, in San Diego, Phoenix, and Yuma. So next week, I'll be going to Washington D.C. and I'll be taking one of the homeowners with me."
Funeral services for the former president will take place from January 4 to January 9, between Washington D.C. and his hometown Plains, Georgia, where he'll be finally laid to rest.
