Millard Fuller was the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). His 29-year leadership, beginning in 1976, forged Habitat into a worldwide Christian housing ministry, building 200,000 homes with projects in 100 countries.

He passed away on Feb. 3, 2009 at the age of 74. He was laid to rest at Koinonia Farm in Americus, Ga., the birthplace of Habitat and The Fuller Center, and the home of his former mentor, Clarence Jordan.

"I see life as both a gift and a responsibility. My responsibility is to use what God has given me to help His people in need." - Millard Fuller

"I don’t think it's an exaggeration to say that Millard Fuller has literally revolutionized the concept of philanthropy." - Former President Bill Clinton.

For more information on Millard, Linda and the Fuller Center for Housing, Inc. please visit    www.fullercenter.org

In early 2009, Mark Galey, (McDonough resident &  the President of the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta) reached out to Shane Persaud, and other local  volunteers in Henry County to see if they were interested in participating in a  "home repair" project. This partnership between  volunteers, churches, businesses and individuals was the humble beginnings of what we now refer to  as Project McDonough.

It began with members of Wesley Way United Methodist Church  who participated on a smaller project with The Fuller Center in 2008, and were eager to get involved again. The word began to spread quickly through the community. Participation from the Mayor’s Office, Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, along with other churches, organizations, businesses and volunteers from the community all contributed to the ongoing success of Project McDonough.

The project started out with some planned renovations to Mrs. Miller’s home on Old Griffin Road and a few others on Lemon Place, but quickly rippled to a total of 17 projects with approximately 150 volunteers during a three-day home repair event in June. The central location for Project McDonough has started in the Blacksville community with projects on Old Griffin Road, Lemon Place, George W. Lemon Drive, and King Boulevard in McDonough. Home repairs are assessed based upon needs, which have included roofing, painting, gutter repair, window repair, railing & wheelchair ramp repairs, yard clean-up and light landscaping. 

In the case of Mrs. Miller’s home, the scope was much more involved and included the rebuilding of the front and rear porches, roof repair, replacement of flooring, ceilings , a new kitchen, new bathroom fixtures, new HVAC system – just to list a few.