Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter kicks off Edmonton Habitat for Humanity project

Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter took the stage in Edmonton Sunday night to kick off the Habitat for Humanity Carter Work Project.Carter, along with his wife Rosalyn, smiled as he said the pair recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary and said that they have been building with Habitat for Humanity for almost half that time.READ MORE: Alberta government partners with Habitat for Humanity, former US president on new projectThe former president is in the Capital Region to promote the Carter Work Project – an initiative to build 150 homes, including 75 in the Edmonton area, across Canada as part of the country’s 150 anniversary.“We’ve enjoyed the exciting projects that we’ve had, which Rosa said has been the best way we’ve ever found to show our Christian faith in practice. I know that all of you that [have] helped us…will help us this week,” Carter said.WATCH: Erin Chalmers reports live from southeast Edmonton, where 1,000 volunteers will be working on the massive build. Carter, now 92, also showed off his sense of humour.“Every year, we’ve gotten more out of the projects than we put into it. We won’t be able to put in as much as we did 34-years-ago, so you’ll have to bear in mind we are a little bit old now in age, but we’ve been doing our best,” Carter said with a smile and to applause from the audience.Wife Rosalyn thanked and congratulated the families who will be involved with the build, saying she is looking forward to working with them.“It is never a duty or an obligation. It is always a blessing to be involved with Habitat for Humanity,” Rosalyn Carter said.This is the biggest building project ever for Habitat for Humanity. In the Capital Region, homes will be built in the Laurel neighbourhood in southeast Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan.WATCH: The largest Habitat for Humanity project in Edmonton’s history got underway Monday. Erin Chalmers reported live from the volunteer breakfast. Mayor Don Iveson thanked the couple personally for their role in the project.“Thank you both for being here as we work together to bring awareness to a cause that is so important right around the globe – families and children in need of safe, decent and affordable home ownership,” Iveson said. “Thank you for the time you give to make the world a better place. We are honoured and humbled, so humbled, to build community with you hand-in-hand.”The province is providing $4.1 million to partially fund the project while the City of Edmonton is donating land for 58 of the houses. The development will ultimately be named Carter Place, in honour of the former president.“Families are the heart of every nail we hammer, every wall we raise and every child’s room we paint,” said Alfred Nikolai, the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton. “Take every moment of this week to understand the true meaning of building community… and reflect what we’re all doing.”The project will run from July 9 to 14, with closing ceremonies taking place in Winnipeg.Global News will be live from the Carter Work Project throughout the day Monday, including the 5 and 6 p.m. newscast.