FAIRMONT -- American Red Cross donation canisters aren't easy to open; it actually takes a can opener. But inside is money that will help deploy volunteers, send relief supplies, and provide financial resources to Haiti Relief.

There have been five in Fairmont General Hospital for two weeks, and now it's time for them to do some good.

"Everybody is busy with a life," said Fairmont State University student Clarissa Walter, 22. "As a full time student, and working, and doing other little activities too, [what I did] helped."

Walter is not only studying to become a lab technician, she works at Fairmont General Hospital's Department of Laboratory Medicine and volunteers at the Salvation Army.

Her busy lifestyle prevents her from actually going to Haiti, which she says she would be more than willing to do, but American Red Cross representatives say her efforts are more than enough.

"It's not as neat as texting 90999 (and $27 million has come in that way) for instance," said Rob Johnson, development director for the North Central West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross, "But this is something more familiar. A lot of people say, I want to do something, and we have this as a venue that they can collect this way - it's an easy way to collect."

Walter turned her five canisters over to Johnson Tuesday. The cans will be cracked Wednesday morning, and within hours, Walter's total donation will be helping relief efforts work.

The Canister Campaign is probably one of the Red Cross's most familiar campaigns, and as Walter can tell you, it's easy - and effective. Johnson says over a thousand dollars could be collected for Haiti in our area with these cans alone.

"As of Jan 28, we've raised $15,493.39, and we're happy to say that was designated for the Haiti Earthquake Relief and Development Fund," reported Johnson.

Helping with the Canister Campaign is easy - just leave your canisters in places like checkouts, registrations offices, or gym check-in desks.

Contact the American Red Cross at 304-624-7689 for more information.