As the world continues to reflect on the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter during the nation's memorial observation, his influence has a special connection to Wisconsin.

The effects of the Carters' trip to Milwaukee to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in June 1989 are still being felt today.

Brian Sonderman, CEO of Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, said their office was just five years old then, with an all-volunteer staff who had yet to build a home from the ground up.

"The former President and first lady came to Milwaukee, mobilized over a thousand volunteers, built six brand-new homes, completed them in one week, as well as doing eight rehabbed homes in the Walnut Hill neighborhood of Milwaukee," Sonderman recounted. "To say that this put Milwaukee Habitat on the map is an understatement."

Sonderman said since then, they receive hundreds of volunteers each year and many credit their interest in Habitat for Humanity to the Carters. Just last year, the Milwaukee office built more than 30 homes and rehabbed more than 100 others. Sonderman added their impact never would have been possible without Jimmy Carter.

Sonderman remembered Carter and his wife Rosalynn not only brought their gusto to the worksite but their humility and compassion as well. The trip almost was not a success due to rainy weather, which threatened to derail the project but Carter took to the news stations to appeal to roofers in the area. Sonderman recalled they showed up in droves in response and completed the roofing for all six homes in one day.

"He said on more than one occasion that his faith demanded that he do what he did," Sonderman explained. "I think that's a great example for those people of faith, to not only talk about it with their words, but to put their faith into action."

Sonderman added Carter found it in Habitat for Humanity by serving his neighbor and loving them as himself. Carter will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., until his funeral on Thursday, which has been declared a National Day of Mourning.


get more stories like this via email

Members of the League of Women Voters-Arkansas are collecting signatures to add a constitutional amendment to the November 2026 ballot.

The amendment would give voters a chance to approve or reject election laws passed by the legislature.

Bonnie Miller, president of the League of Women Voters-Arkansas and chair of the coalition Save AR Democracy, said lawmakers have been enacting restrictions since 2013, making it harder for the direct democracy process to work.

"We now have to read a ballot title out loud to somebody or watch them read the entire ballot title. We're not just talking about a sentence here. In some instances, this could be pages of text," Miller outlined. "We now have to see a photo ID, we have to tell them that petition fraud is a crime."

Arkansas lawmakers said the added measures would help prevent voter fraud. There have been five Arkansans convicted of election fraud over the past 20 years.

Earlier this year, the league filed a federal lawsuit attempting to strike down five bills passed by the legislature which it said are unconstitutional and restrict the work of canvassers. Miller pointed out if the amendment is passed in next year's election, any changes to voting laws must be approved by voters.

"It would keep them from being able to refer out amendments that would change the process," Miller explained. "It means that during (the) legislative session, if they pass any bills, that affects the process that those laws don't go into effect until they're on the ballot the following year. "

Volunteers with the "Ballot Measure for Ballot Measure" campaign must collect more than 90,000 signatures by July 3, 2026.

AARP Oregon has opened up nominations for its prestigious award for volunteerism.

For the Andrus Award for Community Service, the organization will select a person or couple, age 50 or older, performing services without pay in their communities.

Geneva Craig, a volunteer for AARP Oregon, won the award in 2019 for her work organizing educational sessions for her community around Medford in Southern Oregon. She said when she was a child, her mother taught her to volunteer by supporting their sick neighbors.

"There's no age group where you can say, 'Oh, I don't have a skill, I don't have a talent,'" Craig emphasized. "You have something to offer, if only to give some support and let somebody know you care."

Oregonians do a lot of volunteering. Data from 2023 show nearly 36% of Oregonians formally volunteered through organizations, about eight points higher than the national average.

Research shows volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anxiety and depression, while making people feel more connected and happier. Craig added it is important that volunteers inspire others.

"I'm happy because I'm seeing the rise in people who are stepping back out and offering to volunteer," Craig explained. "I tried to let them know, we're not going to work you to death, OK? This is teamwork."

The deadline for Andrus Award nominations is Sept. 1. The winner receives $1,000 to donate to a nonprofit of their choosing.

Eight Wisconsin cities, including four rural communities, will receive improvements to help make their communities more livable. Eleven grantees collectively received more than $100,000 in funds to implement quick-action projects this year through AARP Wisconsin's Community Challenge.

Jennifer Stephany, executive director with Creative Downtown Appleton Inc., is a past recipient that used the funds to install a seasonal "parklet" - or mobile patio - in an area that lacked these amenities. She said the aluminum parklet is handicap accessible and includes three tables and six chairs, with planters and herbs for public use.

"So it's rosemary and basil, and we even had some kale in there, and we take care of watering it throughout the summer, and residents can just come down and pick the fresh herbs," she explained.

Stephany worked with the City of Appleton to develop a citywide policy for parklets, adding that the grant funds were instrumental given the funding constraints organizations like hers face.

Darren Wasniewski, senior associate state director for community outreach, AARP Wisconsin, noted the funds are designated for immediate actions to improve quality and accessibility for residents of all ages and abilities, with projects to be completed by December 15. He said these projects often spark community interest in similar initiatives to meet local needs.

As Wasniewski put it, "Not all of our grantees need to go on and change city policy, but it's always great when they can be used as that catalyst to have these public discussions about, 'Is there something that we can change to make the community livable for all?'"

Some of this year's AARP-funded projects include handicap accessibility improvements to public spaces, home repairs for seniors, digital access and literacy expansion, and housing alternatives. The full list of 2025 grant recipients is on AARP's website.