ALPENA — Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins observances worldwide to remember his life of service, according to a Monday press release from the organization.

He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.

Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan Executive Director, Ted Fines, said, “We all grieve on the passing of President Jimmy Carter. He remains in our prayers as we remember his support of Habitat for Humanity, his love for his wife, Rosalynn and their wonderful life together.”

After leaving the White House, the Carters sought out meaningful ways to continue their commitment to social justice and basic human rights. They first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia, near their home of Plains, in March 1984. Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Each year since then, the Carters have volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and around the world. President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984-1987.

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing organization that has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries.

“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter has said. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired and wept.”

Inspiring millions over the last three decades, President and Mrs. Carter have worked alongside more than 104,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served over 46 million people worldwide.