Jimmy Carter: ‘I Still Feel Good’

The former president is still working to help Habitat for Humanity, even after his cancer diagnosis. 

By: AP/The Huffington Post

Former President Jimmy Carter says he’s not slowing down anytime soon.

“I still feel good,” Carter told NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

In August, Carter announced he has melanoma that was discovered in his liver and spread to four spots on his brain.

“I’m taking special treatments for the cancer in my brain and in my liver,” Carter told NPR. “Part of the liver was removed and they did the treatment on four places in my brain with radiation.”

Carter also revealed he’s taking a “long-term medicine” to help fight the cancer.

“I’m feeling better than anybody expected me to so I’m still maintaining a pretty normal schedule, I’d say,” he said.

The former president, who has long been an advocate of Habitat for Humanity, has been building houses with the organization this week in Memphis, Tennessee.

Read more from the AP on Carter’s latest project:

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jimmy Carter resumed his role as Habitat for Humanity’s most prominent booster on Monday, donning a white hard hat and a worn leather belt stocked with his own tools to hammer and saw with other volunteers building a home in Memphis, Tennessee.

“We haven’t cut back on my schedule yet,” Carter said, seeming invigorated during an Associated Press interview. “I know it’s going to come, particularly if my cancer progresses, but we don’t yet know what the result will be from the treatments.”

The former president celebrated his 91st birthday in October, and is undergoing treatment on cancer found in his liver and brain. But he was sure-footed on the construction site as he moved from one task to another.

Arriving ahead of schedule, Carter installed a hammer, measuring tape and thick pencil on his tool belt. Then he helped place pre-framed walls, hammered nails into place and sawed boards into smaller pieces, occasionally shouting questions or suggestions at the rest of the crew.

His wife, Rosalynn Carter, 88, hammered brackets to secure the walls, pulling the nails from her own leather tool belt. “Hard work,” she said with a soft laugh.

Carter and the Atlanta-based charity have been practically synonymous for more than 30 years. His presidential museum even has his work boots and a hammer on display. Since leaving the White House, the Carters have personally been involved with 3,943 projects in 14 countries for the charity, which has helped five million people with home construction and repairs.

Continue reading the story here: http://huff.to/1RCfzal

Oklahoma’s Provide-A-Ride Program Mobilizes Senior Citizens In Service

As we conclude Volunteer Mobilization month this October, we take a look back at the important service volunteers provide in our communities. Provide-A-Ride, a program designed, implemented and managed by RSVP of Central Oklahoma since 1995, ensures low-income senior citizens who reside in Oklahoma County have safe, reliable and free transportation to and from their medical appointments.  

RSVP volunteer drivers utilize their own vehicles to provide one-on-one, door-through-door support for seniors who can no longer drive. Through Provide-A-Ride, 5,200 senior citizens without transportation have received 123,900 rides to medical appointments and treatments since the program began, and 300 volunteers have donated 120,000 service hours to help their peers overcome transportation barriers.

Through grants and other resources—including the energy and efforts of citizens age 55 and over— the Senior Corps programs: Foster Grandparents, RSVP and Senior Companions help meet the needs and challenges of America’s communities.

Meow! Just kitten around…. Have a super National Cat Day from AmeriCorps! #NationalCatDay

Welcoming the newest AmeriCorps Members and Senior Corps Volunteers to the National Service Family in Illinois!

Today in Springfield, Illinois, CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer, Serve Illinois Executive Director Scott McFarland, and other leaders will welcome a new class of nearly 1,000 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers to the national service family. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has declared October 21, 2015 as National Service Recognition Day.  The celebration will begin with service projects benefiting several Springfield organizations including Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois and the Central Illinois Blood Center. At the Old State Capitol, Spencer and McFarland will lead members and volunteers in the AmeriCorps and Senior Corps pledges, where individuals pledge to their commitment to get things done for America.

“Illinois AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers are working on the front lines to improve our communities,” McFarland said. “They dedicate millions of hours a year at more than 2,000 locations throughout Illinois. We are very proud of their service, and we are honored to recognize their dedication to our State.”  

Currently, 2,800 AmeriCorps members are helping communities meet their unmet economic, education, health, public safety, or environmental needs. Since 1994, more than 35,000 Illinois residents have served more than 48 million hours and have qualified for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $111,370,000.  Senior Corps volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support communities through RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions programs. These 55+ volunteers serve as mentors, coaches, and companions to people in need. There are more than 12,000 Senior Corps volunteers serving Illinois communities this year. Thank you to Serve Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the CNCS Illinois State office for making today such an inspiring event! We look forward to the positive impact AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers will have on Illinois communities this year.