TAMPA, Fla. — Former President Jimmy Carter left a major impact on the world, including through his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. 

What You Need To Know

  • Former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100.

  • The former president began volunteering woth Habtat for Humanity in 1984

  • Carter would spend one week each year volunteering

It's that same mission Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfisde Senior Superintendent Jose Jimenez is proud to be a part of. 

“I’m working on about 40 townhomes at the same time,” he said. 

At a worksite inspecting townhomes, Jimenez doesn't just work for Habitat for Humanity, he has also benefitted from their help.

11 years ago, he and his family received a home.

“There’s only one thing I regret, not doing it before. I’m happy and my family is happy," Jimenez said. "I wanted to work hard to get a roof over my family’s head.” 

The organization began in 1976, and starting in 1984, Carter began dedicating one week a year to volunteering with the organization. 

While working on these homes, Jimenez said he's not sure where the organization would be without Carter.

“He was like a big grandfather," he said.  

President/CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, Mike Sutton, said learning about the death of the former president wasn't easy to hear. 

The impact he's left on him and all others in the organization is felt with every home they build for those in need. 

"He got involved with the organization in 1984 and really helped build the brand of Habitat just because of his involvement," Sutton said. "He's our most famous volunteer, he really helped put Habitat on the map."