This story has been updated and revised to reflect the following recent news via CNN:
Former President Jimmy Carter was admitted to a hospital in Winnipeg, Canada, on Thursday for observation after suffering dehydration in the hot sun while working with volunteers on homes for Habitat for Humanity. The CEO of Habitat for Humanity Johnathan Reckford reports Mr. Carter, 92, is “okay.”
"President Carter was dehydrated working in the hot sun. President Carter told us he is okay and is being taken offsite for observation. He encourages everyone to stay hydrated and keep building," Reckford said. He added, "He has asked us to continue with our day."
We’ll update upon the 39th U.S. President’s release from the hospital. Our good thoughts and prayers are with the the Honorable Jimmy Carter for a quick recovery!
_____________________
Former President Jimmy Carter, 92, and his wife/partner former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, 89, embarked on yet another “hands on” Habitat for Humanity building expedition. This time the couple went to Canada.
EDMONTON, Alberta, July 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thousands of volunteers are joining Habitat for Humanity's 34th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Canada to build 150 homes in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will build alongside future homeowners in Edmonton, Alberta, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, with additional projects taking place in communities across the country.
The building expedition will last four days and the 150 homes will encompass three domains: 75 homes in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan, 25 homes in Winnipeg and 50 homes in territories and provinces across Canada.
"Rosalynn and I are pleased to be bringing together volunteers to build alongside families during this year's Carter Work Project," said President Carter. "Housing affordability in Canada is at an all-time low. We are proud supporters of Habitat for Humanity and grateful to everyone who is joining us in our efforts to bring affordable housing to families across the country."
"A stable home can unlock infinite possibilities for families," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "We are grateful to the many volunteers and sponsors and especially to President and Mrs. Carter for being a voice for affordable housing and working with future homeowners who are building better lives for themselves and their families."
Once a year, for over three decades, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and activist and mental health advocate Rosalyn Carter have made trips with Habitat for Humanity. And there are testimonies by the homeowners who not only work with volunteers to build the homes, but pay a mortgage which goes to the building of more homes for people in need around the globe.
Since 1984, President and Mrs. Carter have traveled around the world with Habitat, donating their time and voices annually to build and improve homes and raise awareness of the critical need for decent and affordable housing. Inspiring millions over the last three decades, President and Mrs. Carter have worked alongside nearly 100,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair more than 4,000 homes.
The Carters just celebrated 71 years of marriage last week and they are closer than ever. Here is one of their wedding photos courtesy of The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
Giving is a way of life for the Carters. Together they created The Carter Center in 1982, soon after the President left office and have since been “Waging Peace, Fighting Disease and Building Hope” around world. They have sought solutions for peace, monitored elections for freedom and democracy, and helped bring the cases of the Guinea Worm disease down from 3 million cases down to fewer than 10 cases. These accomplishments just touch on the work behind The Carter Center.
Although the Carters seem to be busy helping people around world, they often take time to read and answer personal letters they receive via The Carter Center. That mailing address is:
The Carter Center
One Copenhill
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307
There is also a Facebook page many visit called Honoring Jimmy Carter that was set up to help pay tribute to the former President and First Lady, as well as dispel negative myths about President Carter that were propagated by his successor’s administration and perpetuated a media—that is only just beginning to convey his grand accomplishments. The Honoring Jimmy Carter page continues to grow with now over 218k followers/members and they hope to hit 1M page followers by the end of this summer.
If you visit the page, please give them a “Like.” There you can find political and humanitarian stories and memes about the Carter—as well as enjoy a safe, positive, and pretty much troll-free place to share your comments and experiences regarding this lovely and incredible couple. To visit/like “Honoring Jimmy Carter” click here.
Once again we thank Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for a lifetime of exemplifying what selfless giving, true Christian faith, and strong, relentless leadership looks like. They are both American treasures.
President Carter was releasee on Friday morning from the Canadian where he was treated after suffering dehydration. Read more about the good news here.
Related Stories:
About Habitat for Humanity Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in nearly 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org