If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning. I’d hammer in the evening, all over this land."The song of the hammer coming down brought a crowd to its feet.
The performance by Grammy winners, the Blind Boys of Alabama, could almost be called the anthem of Sunday night’s opening ceremonies of the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003.
The opening ceremony at Paul Snow Stadium on the campus of Jacksonville State University marked the beginning of this week’s project to construct affordable, decent housing for nearly 100 families here in Anniston and in Valdosta and LaGrange in neighboring Georgia.
By week’s end, the families will have new homes — their homes — built mostly by people they have never met and likely won’t see again. They’ll get keys from a former president who has pledged much of his life to helping stamp out poverty and injustice.
"I have cried 20 times as I’ve participated in these ceremonies," former President Jimmy Carter said, addressing fellow disciples on a quest to end substandard housing all over the world. "The fact is it’s never been a sacrifice; it’s always been a blessing… Congratulations for joining us for one of the world’s greatest blessings.
"Work hard and safe."
Before the work, though, came the fun and excitement of being part of an event the world will be watching.
The sounds of the Spirit Drum and Bugle Corp of Jacksonville State University beckoned the crowd of several thousand on hand for the festivities. As sun set on a late spring evening, future homeowners began a countdown to when they’d have their own thresholds to cross over.
Habitat for Humanity homeowners, from years past and those who will be receiving keys at the end of this week’s project, filed in with placards announcing their names and their home site numbers.
In the stands were a sea of smiling faces of people in matching T-shirts, volunteers who had come from far and near. There were families of community members and corporate sponsors. There were gaggles of choir members getting last-minute tips and Americorps volunteers exchanging hugs.
