Many of you know that Gregg and I are long-term supporters of Habitat For Humanity and have built houses around the world with this organization ... Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Botswana, Paraguay, US, etc. It's always an honor and a pleasure to provide "a hand up instead of a hand out" to someone who simply wants to achieve the dream of safe and affordable housing. I can honestly say that some of the most fulfilling moments of my life have occurred on Habitat Builds!
While I adore the warm and fuzzies that I feel when a house is completed and a family can move in and turn it into a home, I also appreciate the policies that Habitat has in place to ensure that my donation is being used in the most responsible way possible. I like that recipients receive a zero- or low-interest loan, not simply a free house. I like that homeowners are provided with practical training, such as financial management and home maintenance classes, so that the "hand up" can be sustained. I think most of all I appreciate the requirement that homeowners participate in a sweat equity scheme, working on not only their future home but their neighbors' as well, building a sense of community pride and commitment to joint upkeep.
Why I’m raising money for Habitat now:
Too many families right here in America live in unthinkable conditions. Houses falling apart around them. Children without a safe place to grow and thrive. Elderly men and women living in dangerous conditions.
A chance to change this is right around the corner with the annual Carter Work Project in October.
You can learn more about President and Mrs. Carter's participation with HFH here:
http://www.habitat.org/how/carter.aspx
http://www.pbs.org/programs/life-a-house-built/
About Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Work Project:
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope, believing that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Each year for the past three decades, former President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have given a week of their time to help Habitat build and improve homes.
In celebration of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project’s 31th anniversary in 2014, the Carters will focus their efforts on Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.
Please Add Your Support!
If you help me raise money for Habitat for Humanity, you’ll be helping low-income families move into the safe, decent homes they need. What an amazing opportunity to help transform lives and communities!