This Valentine’s Day, have a heart.

    Flowers and chocolates are fine, and everyone knows that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But the best gifts are often non-tangible – gifts that not ony show how much you care, but also give back.

    Following is a list of Valentine’s Day gifts with a cause:

    • Give blood. It costs you nothing, but is priceless for patients in our local hospitals. While blood donations are needed all the time, it especially increases during holidays and inclement weather conditions.

    United Blood Services encourages everyone to “Become a Hero, Give Three Times a Year.” You can donate at a center or mobile blood drive in the area, and you may target your donation to specific blood products: types O and B: red blood cells; type A: Plasma; type AB: platelet and plasma.

    Hours for the Meridian location at 1177 Bonita Lakes Circle are: Monday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, from 11 a.m-7 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, from noon-5 p.m.

People who are 16 and older and in good health are eligible to donate. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have a signed permission from a parent or guardian. Appointments may be made at  www.UnitedBloodServices.org

    • Give to the American Heart Association. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.

    February is American Heart Month. In addition to making sure you and your loved ones’ hearts are healthy – through diet, exercise, not smoking, regularly checking your blood pressure – donate and help save lives through a memorial, tribute or general contribution to the American Heart Association’s Greater Southeast Affiliate (which serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Puerto Rico). The Address is 4830 McWillie Circle, Jackson, MS 39206.

    For more information about the American Heart Association, visit the Web site at www.americanheart.org

    • Make a child’s wish come true. Recognized as the nation’s largest wish-granting organization, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions for more than 30 years. In that time, 203,941 wishes have been granted – that’s a wish every 40 minutes.

    Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi serves the Southern three-fourths of the state. A Meridian Walk for Wishes is scheduled for April 2, but you can show your support now through a memorial or honor donation. Valentine’s Day cards or certificates are available by visiting the national Web site – www.wish.org. Make-A-Wish also has cards and certificates for all occasions and tributes, get well wishes, memorial/sympathy, Mother’s and Father’s Day, weddings, birthdays, Easter/Passover, Thanksgiving and winter holiday.

    You can also donate to the Mississippi affiliate online at www.ms.wish.org or mail at 576 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 120, Ridgeland, MS 39157

    • Live United, give to the United Way of East Mississippi. There’s still time to give to the local affiliate’s 2010-11 Campaign, which ends March 15.

    United Way of East Mississippi serves the following 16 agencies and programs: American Red Cross, Key Chapter; Boy Scouts of America;Boys & Girls Club of East Mississippi; Care Lodge; Community of Hope Tutoring Program; Foster Grandparents Program; Friendship Center; Girl Scouts; Hope Village for Children; LOVE’s Kitchen; Meals on Wheels; Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP); Salvation Army; South Harbor Shelter; Supply Our Students and Wesley House Community Center.

    You can give online by visiting the Web site www.unitedforunitedway.org, or by mail at P.O. Box 5376 Meridian, MS 39302. The local office is located at 2003 23rd Ave.

    • Support the local arts. Meridian has an abundance of the arts, showcased in numerous venues – from theater to music. Contributions or participation in programs and events are a way to insure that the arts are not only alive, but also thriving in the community. For more information, contact or visit the following Web sites:

    – Meridian Council for the Arts – 711 23rd Ave., call (601) 693-2787 or go to www.meridianarts.org

    – Meridian Museum of Art – 628 26th Ave., call (601) 693-1501 or go to meridianmuseum.org

    – Meridian Symphony Orchestra – P.O. Box 2171, Meridian, MS 39302 or go to www.meridiansymphonyorchestra.com

    – Meridian Little Theatre – Highway 39 North, call (601) 482-6371 or go to www.meridianlittletheatre.com

    – Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Foundation – 1725 Jimmie Rodgers Drive, Meridian, MS 39307, call (601) 485-1808 or go to  www.jimmierodgers.com

    – MSU Riley Center – 2200 Fifth St., Meridian, MS 39301, call (601) 696-2200 or go to www.msurileycenter.com