Remembering President Jimmy Carter
Together as a nation, we mourn the loss of former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter leaves a tremendous global legacy of philanthropy and partnership, and we are grateful for his service and support. Our hearts and prayers are with the entire Carter family.
President Carter didn’t dwell much on the fact that he was the oldest living president and the president who has lived the longest after his term in office. Through his work, President Carter has not only changed thousands of lives, he also modeled and inspired countless numbers of people to engage in volunteerism and service to others.
Yet one cannot speak of President Carter without also commemorating his wife, trusted advisor and former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, who passed in November of 2023. President Carter was often quoted as saying, “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished.”
Together, President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter worked tirelessly their entire lives on behalf of numerous transformative causes, including women’s rights, mental health policy reform, waging global peace, fighting disease and of course, advocating for youth both domestically and abroad.
The trailblazing Carters were steadfast champions for Boys & Girls Clubs. Through a longstanding partnership the Carters had with Habitat for Humanity and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, along with volunteers from around the State of Georgia, President Carter and Rosalynn were instrumental in building the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Unit in Plains, Georgia in 1999. Part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Unit is the only Club named after a U.S. President and First Lady.
In 2019, President and Mrs. Carter were inducted as honorary co-chairs of BGC Albany and the organization’s operations expanded from seven to nine Clubs serving the area. In 2020, Boys & Girls Club of America partner Maytag named the Carters as Maytag Dependable Leaders, joining a distinguished group of more than 110 awardees over the past 23 years. And in 2023, the Plains Club renovated its swimming pool, basketball court – which now includes a silhouette of the Carters and a number “39” to honor the 39th President – and planted raised garden beds. President and Mrs. Carter made a strong commitment to youth in the Plains community – a legacy that will last for generations to come.
We admired President Carter’s strength and humility. His partnership, kindness and compassion were matchless and contagious. He did whatever it took, whenever he could, for as long as he could, to serve people and improve the human condition. He will certainly be missed.
“The measure of success is a commitment to peace, to justice and humility, service, forgiveness, compassion and love, equally available to every child who comes into a Boys & Girls Club.” -Former President Jimmy Carter
Jim Clark
President and CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Great Futures Start Here
Boys & Girls Clubs of America supports young people and communities year-round through safe and inclusive places, caring mentors and life-enhancing programs. Boys & Girls Clubs empower teens to graduate on time with a plan for the future. Join us in supporting the next generation of leaders.
