Joliet Job Corps Center students make dog toys from recycled T-Shirts on Mentor Wednesday.

Students at the Joliet Job Corps Center have been volunteering monthly at Cache Creek Animal Rescue, but they wanted to do something more for the dogs living at the shelter.

So Center Director Christine Sanchez organized a contest as a Mentor Wednesday activity. She challenged the mentors and mentees to see which group could make the most dog toys to donate to the rescue group between May 4 and 18.

Better yet, the toys are made from braided strips of old T-shirts, so the project involves green materials and recycling as well. The toys are easy to make so everyone could be involved. And dogs love to play with the toys that are especially good for tug-of-war games. The group that creates the most toys for Cache Creek will be treated to a special lunch or activity off Center courtesy of Ms. Sanchez.

Records Clerk Lisa Dove worked with students on the May 4 Mentor Wednesday to make the toys. “We had a lot of fun,” she said. “We did it out of love. We love animals.”

A group of students will return to the shelter on May 21 with BCL Stewart Warren to volunteer. They’ll make sure the dogs and cats get plenty of exercise and attention.“We appreciate the work of the Joliet Job Corps’ students,” said Cyndi Heiden, a volun-teer at Cache Creek. “We’re glad they are making the toys. The dogs really like to play with them.”