OGEMAW COUNTY — The Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) of Ogemaw Heights High School is aiding in the Haitian Earthquake relief effort by holding pop can/bottle drives on Jan. 19 and 21.

On the 19th, cans and bottles will be accepted at Glen’s in West Branch and Rose City and at the West Branch Wal-mart from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. On the 21st, the drive will take place at Surline Elementary and Middle School in West Branch, the Rose City Elementary and Middle School and at Ogemaw Heights High School from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“The morning after the disaster hit I called together an executive meeting. … And this is what they (cadets in NJROTC) came up with,” said NJROTC Chief Don Croff. “I’ve got a bunch of loyal cadets and a lot of hardworking cadets.”

He said the businesses were also willing to help out and “100 percent behind it.

“There was absolutely no hesitation,” Croff said.

Besides soda cans or bottles, Croff said cash donations would also be accepted.

He added that more help would be welcome, too.

“I want the parents to get involved and if there’s people in the community who want to help out, the more the merrier,” Croff said.

Proceeds from the relief drives will go to the American Red Cross.

On Jan. 12, an earthquake that registered at 7.0 on the Richter scale rocked the small nation of Haiti. About 50,000 people are feared to be dead, according to the Red Cross.