Sunday, April 12, 1998

The world needs more people like Millard Fuller

By Ann Marie Graham

The world needs more Millard Fullers.

You may not have heard the name Millard Fuller, but he is one of the most amazing people in America. In 1996 Fuller received America's highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for using his life to make life better for others.

I spoke with Fuller about his experience when he visited Abilene recently.

Twenty years ago Fuller was a very successful businessman -- a millionaire. He had all of the nice things money could buy: fancy cars, speedboats, horses, a nice big house. But he wasn't really happy. When he nearly lost his family, he realized people are much more precious than the things money can buy.

He noticed many poor children and adults in Georgia were living in rundown shacks. They were too poor to have a decent place to live and grow up in. Fuller decided he wasn't going to just shrug his shoulders. He was going to do something to help.

Instead of being selfish with his money, he started using it to help people. He started Habitat for Humanity, a group of volunteers who work with needy people to build simple, decent homes people can afford to live in.

It started with one home, then another. Then the helping spirit started spreading. Many people started lifting boards, hammering nails, delivering meals, planting shrubs, raising money and doing all sorts of things to help. Even President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter started helping each year. Other famous people like Tom Brokaw, Amy Grant and Paul Newman help, too.

Every year Habitat for Humanity builds more homes than the year before. Now nearly a half-million people in every state and around the world have a decent place to live because of Habitat for Humanity and the dream of Millard Fuller.

The homes they build mean less fortunate children and families can live with a little dignity. It means more, though. It means there are caring people in this world that is too busy and too harsh sometimes. And it means there is hope. It's contagious in a good way. It does good for both the people who are helped and the people who help.

Millard Fuller is not done building homes for people who need them. He says he won't be done until "poverty housing is eliminated from the face of the earth." That's a really big job, but Fuller can do it because he cares about and believes in people.

Habitat for Humanity homes continue to spread. Abilene builds a dozen homes each year. On April 7, Habitat for Humanity broke ground on the new Cornerstone Addition here in Abilene.

There are lots of ways for all kinds of people to help. "Anyone who wants to help can find a way to help with Habitat for Humanity," Fuller said. "We all have different talents. There's a place for anybody who wants to be a part of Habitat for Humanity. We can find a place for you."

Fuller told me some big news for Texas. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter will be coming to Houston June 15-20 to build 100 homes in a week. That's a Texas-sized event that's never been done before. It's going to take a lot of caring people to do that. Six thousand volunteers are needed.

Twenty years ago Millard Fuller stopped just thinking about helping; he started helping. Though he has less now, he really has a lot more.

The world needs more Millard Fullers. If you want to help with Habitat for Humanity, call 670-0489 or (800) HABITAT.

Ann Marie Graham, 13, has authored two children's books and will be a featured speaker at the Rocky Mountain Children's Book Festival April 24.