Contributed photo Children are encouraged to make Valentine’s Day cards for veterans at Eva Perry Library in Apex.

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Contributed photo Nearly 4,500 cards were sent by county libraries in 2012 to the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Durham.

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Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to send loved ones a message straight from the heart.

Thanks to Wake County Public Libraries, it’s also a great time to express gratitude and thanks to those who served their country.

The annual Valentines for Veterans program is currently underway at each of the county libraries, including Eva Perry Regional in Apex.

A craft table complete with all the materials needed to make a Valentine’s card has been set up in each library. The public has until Feb. 3 to visit a local library and send a special message to a veteran.

The cards will be delivered by library staff to the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Durham.

“It’s a wonderful program,” said Wake County Public Libraries Deputy Director Ann Burlingame. “It’s a real community event where everybody comes together to recognize what veterans have done for our country.”

Burlingame said the program has become especially popular with young families.

“With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we’ve seen many more families who have someone going away to serve,” said Burlingame. “This is a great experience for children because they can make something that shows their appreciation. I took my 8-year-old daughter last year and we are going to do it again this year.”

The program is not, however, just for children.

“We’ve had many senior citizens participate, even some World War II veterans,” said Burlingame. “That is exactly what we wanted, a program where everyone can become involved.”

The program began nationally in 1989 after Ann Landers wrote a column encouraging people to send Valentine’s cards to veterans as a way to say ‘thank you.’

Schools, civic groups and scout troops adopted the program and Duraleigh Road in Raleigh became the first Wake library to hold the project in 2003.

Last year, county libraries sent 4,476 cards to veterans.

“It seems everyone is drawn to this program, both adults and children,” said Burlingame. “It’s a great way to show appreciation and gratitude for all the sacrifices made by veterans while protecting our country.”