Granby resident Don Shaw received a call on Dec. 30 while he and wife Peggy were packing food bags at Granby Congregational Church’s Open Cupboard Pantry. It was from the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut, telling him that representatives of the Isa Soares Tonight show that airs on CNN International in London wanted to interview him about his experiences and memories of working with former President Jimmy Carter who had died the previous day. Soares had seen an ABC news piece featuring reminiscences about Carter by Shaw and his friend Tom Trumble on the evening of Carter’s death. Shaw and Trumble had recorded the piece when Carter entered hospice care.
Shaw finished packing the food bags and went home to link with CNN technicians who helped him prepare his computer for the 2 p.m. live interview. Sound and lighting checks were needed by noon for the 7 p.m. live broadcast from London—2 p.m. here in Connecticut.
The Soares’ interview began with a retrospective on Carter, and then went live with Shaw, who explained that he began working with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Projects in 2002 in Durban, South Africa. From there, he went on to join the team in Mexico, India, Thailand, Haiti (post-earthquake), Canada and Nashville, Tenn. Don and Peggy were honored to be invited to one of the Habitat for Humanity Carter Weekends in Plains, Ga., where they met Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and attended Sunday School at Jimmy’s Maranatha Baptist Church.
In summing up his impression of Carter, Shaw notes, “Carter’s profound faith was the driving force in his life. For him, service to others was the highest calling. He led by example. As Carter’s legacy of life-long accomplishments grows, it will be increasingly clear that his is the way to lead a life well-lived.”
Google the following for the link to watch the Soares interview on CNN: GCC member Don Shaw CNN interview on Jimmy Carter.
Editor’s Note: Shaw began working with Habitat for Humanity almost 30 years ago. He served several years as chair of the board of directors and later as interim executive director. He was elected Board Director Emeritus of Habitat for Humanity North Central Connecticut, which has built or rehabilitated almost 400 affordable homes for families in Hartford and Tolland counties since 1989. He spearheaded the building of a Habitat home in West Granby in 2016.