Valentine’s Day is a time to think about someone else.

This Valentine’s Day, Chilton Leadership wants local residents to think about the needs of the children at Child Protect and the animals at the Chilton County Humane Society.

Leadership is holding the Have a Heart Donation Drive from 1–5 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Chilton County YMCA.

All proceeds raised at the event will benefit the local animal shelter and children’s advocacy center.

“We saw an opportunity to spread the love to multiple charities, and this is what we came up with,” said Mary Beth Wyatt, YMCA director and Chilton Leadership participant.

Leadership is a joint effort between the Chilton Research and Extension Center and the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce. Community members are selected to participate in the program, which seeks to build knowledge and relationships for local leaders.

Each Leadership group is tasked with developing and executing a class project. Have a Heart is the 2013 class’ effort to better the community.

The first step in the project was for the group to re-paint the gym and lobby at the Y. Paint was donated by the city of Clanton.

The event itself will feature food, game and swap meet booths. Admission is a donation to Child Protect and/or the Chilton County Humane Society.

Donations can be monetary or an item needed by the charities.

The animal shelter reports being in need of: bleach, paper towels, dry puppy and kitten food, cat litter, non-foaming laundry detergent, industrial/heavy duty garden hoses, plastic trash bags, hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial dish washing liquid, dog and cat carriers/crates, office supplies, flea prevention products, latex gloves, floor or window squeegees and mops and brooms.

Child Protect needs: gift cards to Walmart, Sam’s, Target, Costco or Office Depot; bottled water; box drinks; variety chips; animal cookies; coffee; cleaning supplies; cleaning wipes; garbage bags; anti-bacterial hand cleaner; liquid soap; toilet paper; paper towels; microwavable kids’ meals; toaster pastries; Ramen noodles; copy paper; postage stamps and soft drinks.

Anyone interested in setting up a booth can email Wyatt at ccymca@bellsouth.net.