February 13, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Kids’ recycling project leads to three new benches at local parks

The residents of St. Joseph will have three new benches to sit on.


The village has bought three benches for no more than $1,000 from Prince of Peace Community Early Learning Center and the center has already donated two benches to the village which are at Kolb Park.

The three new benches will be at the Sports Complex.

The Prince of Peace students have been collecting bottle cap and lids which are then turned into benches.

Diane Williams, the Director of Prince of Peace Community Early Learning Center, said students learn collecting, sorting, math and facts about recycling by collecting the lids.


“Any age can partake in it,” Williams said.

The kids are participating in the ABC Program which is a program by Green Tree Plastics for school children to learn about caring for the earth and green living. The children are the primary workers on the project and do the majority of the collecting, sorting and tallying of the weight collected.

When the kids have collected enough caps and lids a bench can be ordered.
Caps that can be collected include medicine bottle lids, milk jug ids, detergent caps, hair spray caps, caps from toothpaste, deodorant, applesauce pouches, drink bottles, ketchup, mustard, spray paint, baby food and shampoo and conditioner.

They can also accept lids from cottage cheese containers, mayonnaise jars, yogurt, peanut butter jars and coffee cans.

Williams said the benches last a lifetime.

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges said she supported the project.

“It is a great opportunity to work with the early learning center,” she said. “I like the idea that its recyclable and its a good learning opportunity for the village.”

Lids can be dropped off at the village hall lobby or they can be dropped off at the learning center.

“Caps can be brought to our front door, ring the bell, and we can let them in,” Williams said.

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Kids say…

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask students at local schools three questions related to farming. This week we spoke to students at...

Setterdahl finds perfect fit at Clemson

May 18, 2019

May 18, 2019

Ben Setterdahl thinks he may be annoying people. The St. Joseph-Ogden senior, who is co-valedictorian, can’t stop talking about Clemson...

10 things you don’t know about me… Allison Wakefield

August 18, 2022

August 18, 2022

What is your favorite place to travel to? Pennsylvania What is a TV show/movie you can watch over and over?...

Going the Distance: Smetzer excels at Western

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Ross Smetzer has goals. The 2016 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate runs cross country and track for Western Illinois University...

10 things you don’t know about me … Matt Walsh

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

Matt Walsh with Engaging Entertainment is will be DJing at the Wagner Signs and Graphics Anniversary Celebration. We asked Matt...

Ceremony to honor Edwards scheduled for Thursday

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

A Gift of Hope Flag raising ceremony will be held on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. at the St, Joseph-Ogden...

Harper brings Wednesday Addams to life

April 2, 2022

April 2, 2022

The characters in the Addams Family are well known. But that didn’t stop the actors at St. Joseph-Ogden from putting...

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

Giving back: PVO helps out Abernathy family with fundraiser

October 15, 2019

October 15, 2019

The Prairieview-Ogden community knows how to come together. And tonight is no exception. Corey Abernathy, who was an assistant coach...

‘Being the first of anything comes with challenges, but also a lot of opportunity’

July 13, 2021

July 13, 2021

St. Joseph Village Administrator Joseph Hackney likes challenges. “Being the first of anything comes with challenges, but also a lot...

‘Her heart was golden’ — Short loses battle with cancer

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Nine years ago, Sarah Logan Loomis raised her hand at a meeting of parents. The meeting was for her daughter,...

10 things you don’t know about me… Santa Claus

December 13, 2019

December 13, 2019

This week the Record asked Santa Claus 10 questions about himself and he took time out of his very busy...

St. Joseph youth Dalton revs it up at motocross nationals

July 29, 2019

July 29, 2019

This week, Tristan Dalton is trying to become a national champion. The 11-year-old St. Joseph resident is competing at the...

10 things you don’t know about me Staci Potter

August 12, 2021

August 12, 2021

We asked St. Joseph-Ogden’s new district bookkeeper to tell us 10 interesting facts about herself. Meet Staci Potter. 1. My...

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

Comments
Leave a Reply