NORTHAMPTON — Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at 100 years old, has often been labeled different among his presidential peers in that his legacy is tied not so much to his politics, but his heart.

His presidency served as simply a starting point for the humanitarian work he continued throughout his life following defeat by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election after having served a single term. But he is not necessarily remembered for a weak economy or the Iran hostage crisis, but rather for the decades of work that followed his presidency with Habitat for Humanity — work that was recognized with a 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

Ahead of Thursday’s national day of mourning to mark Carter’s funeral, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity this week set up a temporary marker on the lawn of the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence that will serve as a symbol of the president’s legacy: a wall with a door in it.

“This door frame symbolizes the many doors, both literal and figurative, that President Carter helped open while working with Habitat for Humanity homeowners across the world, in addition to promoting peace and human rights through The Carter Center,” said Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Megan McDonough, speaking to a handful of people gathered in frigid conditions downtown before the frame was prayed over by the Rev. Eric Cherry of the Unitarian Society.

The memorial door frame will stand through the upcoming weekend as just one of many that will be erected across the country in remembrance of the former president by Habitat for Humanity. Residents are invited to leave written messages as personal tributes to the Georgia-born peanut farmer who rose to the nation’s highest office as the 39th president, with markers available at the site to sign the door that will later be used in a Habitat for Humanity project.

Among those gathered on Wednesday were several Habitat volunteers, whom McDonough praised for their work “in all weather” to build homes. McDonough said that many volunteers have been inspired by Carter’s more than 40 years with the nonprofit — including Walt Kohler and John Hoffman.

Kohler is the construction manager for Habitat’s project on Woodland Drive in Northampton, a project Hoffman is also involved in. The two have worked alongside each other on projects for several years and were present at the memorial service Wednesday. Both shared Carter’s impact on their own lives.

“I just wanted to acknowledge the role of Jimmy Carter,” said Kohler, and Hoffman said that he wanted to “come out and pay my respects for an inspiration.”

Begun in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller and based in Carter’s home state of Georgia, Habitat for Humanity facilitates home improvements for low-income and destitute communities in more than 70 countries worldwide and is fueled by volunteer labor.

In 2019, when Carter’s wife Rosalyn died, a door frame was also erected on the same lawn at 220 Main St. The Carters, the longest married of any presidential couple in the nation’s history at 77 years, began working with Habitat for Humanity in 1984 when they started the Carter Project, which McDonough explained brings together thousands of volunteers to major cities yearly.

Over the past 38 years, the Carters personally worked alongside 103,000 volunteers across 14 different countries, and in that time built 4,331 homes. The Carter Project selects an international city every other year, and works on a U.S.-based projects in the intermittent years.

Habitat’s Pioneer Valley branch was founded in 1989, and has since built homes for 57 low-income families in Hampshire and Franklin counties. The program requires that future homeowners contribute 250 work hours toward what will be their home, when they are given an affordable mortgage. The rest of the work is supported by volunteer efforts.

Internationally, over the past 50 years, Habitat has helped as many as 29 million people to improve their housing conditions, according to the organization’s website.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.