Leicester Elementary School students in Buncombe County, N.C. are participating in the VetCard campaign that Joe Elliott started in North Carolina. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Joe Elliott hopes to spread his VetCard campaign to Alabama and other states.

In 2014, Elliott started this community project in Asheville, N.C. to encourage local students and adult volunteers to create cards of appreciation and support for U.S. military veterans. Elliott focused on the oldest veterans, those who served in World War II.

Many World War II veterans now are confined to care facilities or homebound due to health and geriatric issues, Elliott said.

“The project has been an unqualified success, so successful in fact that I currently have a surplus of cards on hand,” Elliot said. He is working to inform veteran support groups, civic clubs, churches and interested individuals “in your own county that cards are available for their use.”

Elliott’s only stipulation is that anyone who requests cards will confirm that the greetings do reach a veteran.

Any Madison area groups can participate by making greeting cards from simple materials. Elliott suggests the effort as a fun project for a youth group or a positive endeavor for a classroom at school.

“Absolutely no special artistic talent or ability is required to create a card, only a heartfelt willingness to help,” he said. Participants who don’t want to create their own cards are welcome to use preprinted ones and simply add their personal message of support.

The VetCard campaign does not involve any fees or costs. Any participating group or individual can ask that veterans that they know or live in the Madison area to receive the cards.

“The cards are a great, easy way to brighten a veteran’s day, especially one who is in ill-health or hospitalized,” Elliott said. “I would appreciate anything you are willing to do on the project’s behalf.”

To contact Elliott about the VetCard campaign, call 828-687-0734 or email to jpelliott16@aol.com.