Habitat World Online

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'It's a blessing'
A single father from Anniston, Ala., Jermarale "Jay" McGhee was surprised to see the number--and variety--of people who volunteered to help him and other homeowners construct their houses during the Jimmy Carter Work Project.

"It's a very new experience for me to be around all these people from all around the country and all around the world," McGhee says. "Everyone is so nice, and everyone is getting along and working and watching out for one another. ... I think Habitat is doing a good thing, a very good thing. It's a blessing."

McGhee shares the blessing of his Habitat house with his son, Jaquaveon, who turned a year old on July 6, shortly after the completion of the new Habitat house where he will grow up.


	Consumer advocate Clark Howard

Habitat on a different 'frequency'
Atlanta-based consumer advocate and radio show host Clark Howard has sponsored 16 houses with Habitat for Humanity, including the latest in Valdosta, where Veronica Williams and her daughters Ashley, 14, and Charity, 8, will make their home. Howard has been involved with the Atlanta Habitat affiliate since 1996, donating proceeds from his speaking engagements for house sponsorships. As a show of their support, Howard's listeners send in contributions, and corporate sponsors help by donating materials and services. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter joined Howard during the JCWP for a live, on-site broadcast. Howard's syndicated show reaches listeners across the country through more than 200 stations.

Corporations continue to care
Whirlpool Corp. and Lowe's Companies, Inc. were premier sponsors of the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003, contributing volunteers and gifts-in-kind as well as sponsoring two houses at each site.
Jeff Terry, Habitat for Humanity program manager at Whirlpool Corp., witnessed the transformation that occurred among volunteers on the build sites during the week of the JCWP. "On the initial morning, employees and strangers from all around the country stood together not knowing what the week would entail," he says. "By week's end, there were no more strangers. There were friends and family."