If I was looking for a poster child for Citizen Brand, one candidate would be Millard Fuller. I say was because unfortunately, Mr. Fuller died this week. If his name isn't familiar, I can assure you that his life's passion is very familiar. Millard Fuller was the founder of Habitat for Humanity.
Fuller was a multi-millionaire entrepreneur. In 1976, he gave up his business and wealth and with his wife started a charity designed to help people in need get decent housing they can afford.
“Millard Fuller was a force of nature who turned a simple idea into an international organization that has helped more than 300,000 families move from deplorable housing into simple, decent homes they helped build and can afford to buy and live in,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive of Habitat for Humanity International, in a statement. “The entire Habitat family mourns the loss of our founder, a true giant in the affordable housing movement.”
Fuller and his wife began Habitat in the small town of Americus, Georgia, also the home of former President Jimmy Carter. Carter became one of Habitat's greatest ambassadors. Carter said today, "Millard Fuller was one of the most extraordinary people I have ever known. He used his remarkable gifts as an entrepreneur for the benefit of millions of needy people around the world by providing them with decent housing."
As with most public figures, Fuller's life was not without some controversy. He left Habitat four years ago after a dispute with the board. Since I don't know the details of what happened, we will leave that for others. Fuller didn't disappear from the affordable housing scene. Instead, he and his wife launched the Fuller Center for Housing. Through it, they raise money for Habitat affiliates.
His wife Linda said her late husband would not want people to mourn his passing. "He would be more interested in people grabbing a hammer and building a house for someone in need," she said. The couple was planning on celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary later this year with a global tour to build 100 homes. The tour is expected to go on.
Millard Fuller would want it that way for sure.
(Thanks to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, ABC.com & the AP.)
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