McHENRY – Nearly 200 Parkland Middle School students spent a few hours Tuesday doing for others in need of warmth and encouragement.

In its second year, the school’s “Random Acts of Kindness” drew 195 students and 35 staff members. The students made 379 items for local shelters and organizations – 33 more items than last year.

“We just really love helping people,” said 11-year-old Julia Zickus, a sixth-grader who helped make bird feeders. “It’s not only fun, but it’s raising the spirits of others. I would love to do this again next year. With the people you’re working with, you get into conversations with them and it’s really fun.”