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There were some extra helpers at the Mower County Humane Society Wednesday.

Southland Middle School students recently spent about a week and a half raising $360 and tons of supplies for MCHS volunteers to use. They visited the shelter Wednesday.

“It’s absolutely great,” said Jane Roden, MCHS vice president. “This age group is the future of the Humane Society.”

Southland Middle School’s fundraiser is the latest put on by its student council, which does three to five service projects a year. Students were encouraged to donate as much or as little as they could from the MCHS wish list on its web site, according to student council advisers.

“We need to help (the animals),” said Lynn Hempner, Southland Middle School teacher.

Students competed against each other to see who could raise the most in items and money, which helped drive totals up. After seven school days of competition, students raised about $360 dollars, 25 gallons of bleach, about 10 cases of detergent, 8 boxes of garbage bags, many paper towels and more than 5,800 aluminum cans which the Humane Society will turn in.

“It feels really good,” said Colton Mandt, Southland sixth-grader. “You’re helping animals that need a home.”