This Valentine’s Day millions of people will receive candy, flowers, balloons, jewelry and more. Many singles and couples will go out for a romantic dinner or catch a movie. As they primp and prepare for their dates they’ll shower, shave their legs (hopefully just the ladies), and brush their teeth using clean, safe water. Most of them, myself included, do these ordinary things daily without giving much thought to having clean water.

Did you know 11% of the world’s population doesn’t have access to clean water? In the hour you might spend getting ready for a date, WaterAid brings safe water to 100 people. In 2011-2012, they provided 1.6 million people with safe water and 1.9 million people with sanitation.

During the month of February, WaterAid has a Valentine’s Shop, and whenever you make a donation you can download a Valentine’s Day card to share with a loved one. When you donate just $25, less that what you’d pay for a dozen roses, you provide a person access to clean water and sanitation for life. Instead of having dinner at an expensive restaurant, give a donation of $50 and provide four water faucets for clean water access to a community!

Last year, in an article by the L.A. Times, they wrote the average man spends $169 on Valentine’s Day gifts. For a $150 donation, a community can afford to build their own tubewell, giving them permanent access to safe, clean water!

Overall, it was estimated people celebrating the holiday would spend approximately $17.6 billion. That’s billion, with a B, YIKES! Forget the candy, cards, and clothing this year, and make a donation in honor of your sweetie. Your donation, regardless of how big or small, will help improve the quality of life for someone that doesn’t take clean water for granted!

Learn more about how this non-profit is working to help at WaterAid America on Facebook , or join the conversation on Twitter @WaterAidAmerica!