Carters visit for a homebuilding gathering

DALLAS — It's a big week for supporters of Habitat for Humanity in Dallas and Fort Worth. Five-thousand volunteers in North Texas are joining together to build and repair 100 homes.

Leading the charge is a former president and his wife who are no strangers in the crusade for affordable housing.

At least a thousand people gathered to welcome Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn. Over the next several days, Dallas-Area Habitat for Humanity and Trinity Habitat for Humanity will build 20 Fort Worth homes and 30 in Dallas, and they'll repair at least another 50 between the two cities.

Their efforts will provide 100 families with a comfortable place to live... and own.

It's called the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. You'll see crews all over east Oak Cliff in Dallas and the central Meadowbrook neighborhood of Fort Worth over the next few days.

It was fun and games on Sunday; the Carters received white cowboy hats from legendary Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach.

The work begins Monday, but the former president promised the effort will be well worth it,

"When the last day comes and we give the homeowners a bible and a key to the house... if you don't cry... or at least have a few tears run down your cheek... I'll be surprised, "Jimmy Carter said.

The Carters won't be the only political celebrities standing side-by-side with the families who will help build the homes they will receive. The mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth have also pledged to pitch in.

"I noticed the mayors are going to work one day each, for which I am very grateful," the former president said. "We're going to work five days; maybe they can slip out and come back for another day!"

Don't be surprised if you see Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn wearing hard hats this week, building new homes and fixing up older ones for Habitat for Humanity. John McCaa / WFAA