Former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Sunday at 100, is leaving behind a legacy of community service, peace, and volunteerism—just as he hoped.

“When we left the White House, we could have done anything,” Carter said in an interview with the nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity. “But our choice was to volunteer as Habitat workers, and that’s been a life-changing experience for us.”

Since 1984, Carter and his wife Rosalynn have been dedicated supporters of Habitat for Humanity and “champions and groundbreaking voices for affordable, decent housing for all,” according to the organization. And although the former president had been out of office for 35 years, he never stopped working to improve the lives of others in his community and nation.

Well into his 90s, Carter would put on a hard hat, slip on some gloves, and head out to build affordable housing for families. During their 35 years volunteering, the Carters worked alongside nearly 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate, and repair 4,390 homes through Habitat’s Carter Work Project.

“We have the ambition to share some of our good fortune with others,” Carter said.

“That’s one of the most difficult things in life: to cross that chasm between well-off people and families that don’t have a decent home,” Carter continued. “That’s one of the things Habitat has given to us: an ability to share, side by side, building a home with families that have never had a decent place to live.”

Jimmy and Rosalynn worked to rebuild coastal communities following Hurricane Katrina. They traveled to Haiti to rebuild after the earthquake. And at 95 years old, Jimmy showed up to build houses in Nashville. He told Habitat for Humanity that volunteering allowed him to live out his values and to help his community.

In an interview with CBS News nearly six years before his death, Nora O’Donnell asked Carter what legacy he hoped to leave.

“(I hope to be remembered) as a champion of peace and human rights,” Carter said.

Through his presidency and decades of volunteerism, it’s safe to say his desired legacy rings true. Carter died on Sunday, Dec. 29.

If you’re interested in volunteering in King County, you can find more information here.