PTK Hosts Event For Students to Build Toys For Shelter Cats

On Wednesday, Phi Theta Kappa reinstalled Phi Theta Catta, a service event where students made 122 catnip sachets and 125 kitty cork toys, totaling 247 cat toys which they made in 1 hour 30 minutes and donated to the Anti Cruelty Society. Students made so many they ran out of supplies according to student Hazael Olguin.

Olguin, who doesn’t own any cats but says he is flooded with “cat propaganda” on Instagram, said he went to the event because he enjoys community service and had the time to help out.

PTK President Aya Bareket said this year had a better turnout than last year with about 60 participants attending. She estimated that last year they were able to make about 150 cat toys in 3 to 4 hours. Of last year’s event, Bareket said, “It felt like we really made a change, a change to better the lives of animals.”

Steven Cheng, who is studying software development, has had a cat since 2013. He said, “It’s kind of neat to be able to make toys from objects you would find pretty easily, versus like just buying the toys.” Cheng said Phi Theta Catta caught his attention. “For someone who likes cats, it’s kind of like a fun put on words.”

Theater major Matthew “Gibby” Gibson-Pometta said he went to the event because his friend wanted to go. “It’s very fun to do hands-on activities I don’t get to do often,” Gibson-Pometta said. “It takes a certain skillset. Being able to build something with my hands is very enriching." Kevin Reyes, Evelyn Perales, and Godwin Javan were the top toy crafters, making over 50 toys each.

Bareket said Phi Theta Kappa plans to organize more volunteering events. If you want to join Phi Theta Kappa, you must have completed at least 12 credit hours and maintain a 3.25 GPA. They meet in room A323 on Wednesdays at 3:30p.m.

A contribution to this article was made by Kyle Chmielowski.

Students convene in the Cafeteria to make toys for shelter cats. Photo Credit: Kyle Chmielowski