Photo courtesy Memphis Redbirds
Future Cardinals catcher Carson Kelly
You won’t find Jimmy Carter’s name on many lists of the greatest American Presidents. Carter is undeniably, though, the most accomplished former president this country has known. Since leaving the White House in 1981, Carter has helped negotiate peace between warring factions, spearheaded the fight against calamitous diseases (his efforts helped to eradicate guinea-worm disease), and written more than 20 books. Oh, and he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
This week in Memphis, the 91-year-old Carter has put his carpentry skills behind Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter Work Project, building and renovating affordable homes for the elderly and less fortunate. For 33 years now, our 39th president has literally taken hammer to nail in the interest of helping fellow citizens realize the American dream of home ownership.
The Memphis Redbirds have noticed. Friday night at AutoZone Park, the Redbirds will host Habitat for Humanity Night. The team will donate $4 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis from every ticket purchased for the club level, dugout, and field boxes. There will be a closing ceremony for this week’s work in Memphis and a special postgame fireworks display. Players will wear special Habitat-themed jerseys, to be auctioned off during the game and presented to fans — by each player — after the final out.
This week’s five game series against the Nashville Sounds will conclude the Redbirds’ 2016 season at home. (The finale will be Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.) Fans will have their last chance to cheer future Cardinals catcher Carson Kelly (at least until April 2017). For more information on the series, visit memphisredbirds.com.
