The are times when even the President of the United States can make his presence known in Canada, while helping those in need.
With the latest news about President Jimmy Carter entering hospice care in Plains, Georgia, it made me think back to when he and his wife of 76 years visited Edmonton, as part of their Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Canada. Working with Habitat for Humanity Edmonton and Habitat for Humanity in other locations in Canada, President Carter and his wife Rosalynn got down to working on a 50 unit complex in Edmonton in July of 2017.
Although, he was 93 at the time, that didn't stop him from getting in and working with the construction of the complex located in South East Edmonton. Having the opportunity to speak with the couple even for only a few seconds, was an honor. But to also be able to watch as the President and Mrs.Carter got right into the work and didn't slow down but also took time to speak with the workers and maybe President Carter was giving out a little direction. I actually think the First Lady was probably keeping a closer eye to make sure her husband of 71 years was doing things correctly.
What comes back to me was his ability to talk to the people who were about to embark on this massive project, and yet he still made sure to thank them all, for having turned up to help build all of these homes for those less fortunate. He to talked to the volunteers, throughout the build site. He showed them that he was no different (well except for the Secret Service officers that were all over).
The former president even at 92 could get in there and put together framing, and cut wood, as he told one of the workers you have measure twice and cut once. He grabbed a skill saw and cut the wood, just like those who were at least 50 years his junior. It was quite a feat to see President Carter and his wife Rosalynn get down to work, working side by side, as they had in the White House.
President Carter also received some assistance Garth Brooks and his wife, Tricia Yearwood, on the project.
President Carter didn't miss a beat and he made sure that he did his part to help out.
After leaving the Edmonton Project, The President and his First Lady headed to Winnipeg and participated in the Habitat for Humanity Build there as well.
Although he was the former President of the United States, President Carter, a former peanut farmer, showed that there were no borders when it came to helping people.
