HOUSTON, Texas — Some Fifth Ward homeowners fondly remember working alongside President Jimmy Carter 25 years ago when Habitat For Humanity built 100 homes in Houston in a week’s time.
Wade and Shalina Gibson are among the original homeowners still living on Hillsboro Street.
Habitat homeowners play a hands-on role in building their homes so the Gibsons and other Houstonians worked side by side with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter during the massive project in 1998.
"He made us laugh, smile and when time to get serious, time to work, we got to work," homeowner Wade Gibson recalled. "He was a real down-to-earth person, him and his wife, love them to death.”
The Carters began volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in 1984, a couple of years after they left the White House, and continued until 2020.
"The biggest lesson: Keep giving, keep loving, keep helping each other out," Wade said. "And spread the love and do as much as you can to help out folks.”
Like other neighbors, the Gibson family cherishes photos and other materials related to their experience.
“I was just so happy and blessed to have my own home,” neighbor Cheryl Crenshaw said.
She recalled the Carters like it was yesterday.
"They just came here with open arms, you know, they took pictures with us, they did things with us, they showed us things, they talked to us," Crenshaw said. "You know, they did everything.”
Other visits to Houston by Carter may have been related to politics or peacekeeping. But it's the spirit of his post-presidency that these Houstonians will never forget.
They were saddened by news that President Carter has entered hospice care at the age of 98.
"Bless all the family," Gibson said. "You’ve got prayers from all of us.”
Houston Habitat for Humanity released a statement Saturday after news of former President Carter getting hospice care.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with President and Mrs. Carter and their family and we hope the family is surrounded with love and peace during this challenging time.”
“In Houston, we have wonderful memories of working side-by-side with the Carters to build 100 Habitat Houston Homes in one week in 1998. Several of these same homeowners feel deep pride that their home was built by the Carters.”