Jimmy Carter honored with digital mosaic made from over 15K birthday messages

Former President Jimmy Carter received more than 15,000 messages ahead of his 99th birthday on Sunday.

The Carter Center asked the public to help build a digital mosaic by uploading “warm wishes, memories, or birthday greetings" to their website. People have added photos and videos sharing their favorite memories of Carter.

The White House is also paying homage to Carter with an installation on the North lawn that reads “Happy Birthday President Carter."

The red, white and blue cake display has 39 candles, a nod to the 39th president, the White House Press Office confirmed. Birthday events this weekend were moved to Saturday amid the chance of a potential government shutdown.

Jason Carter, his grandson, recently said he believes the former president and first lady Rosalynn Carter are nearing the end of their lives. Carter entered hospice care in Feb. and Rosalynn was diagnosed with dementia in May.

Jason said his grandfather faces "significant physical challenges" but the couple are happy at home and together.

The Carters were spotted at an event in Georgia last weekend.

The Carter Center said their mosaic project is a “symbolic way to show how we all play a part in President Carter’s remarkable legacy of service to humanity.”