Repair
The ReUse Committee organizes Community RePair events, where local, volunteer "Fixperts" are matched with City of Northampton residents who need things fixed. Participants are invited to bring a household item in need of repair and a member of the assembled Fixpert team will attempt to fix it free of charge. Please note that participants are required to sign an acknowledgement form and stay with their item while it is being worked on (it is not a drop off-style event). About seven days before each event, we'll post a list of skills (below) that we'll have available. Check back as the date draws closer; the most accurate list will be available the day before the event.
2019 Community RePair Events
Events for 2019 are scheduled for:
- March 23
- June 15
- September 21
Both the volunteer resources and the items brought in for repair vary from event to event. Please note that we do not have the time or ability to fix everything. While we can't guarantee that each event's Fixpert team can offer the same skills, we usually can provide light repair and/or problem diagnosis for the following types of items: Bicycles, Garments (machine & hand sewing), Knitted garments (darning), Computers, Hand-held devices (phones, tablets), Electric appliances, Knife and tool-sharpening, Furniture.
September 21 RePair Event
Our September event will be held in the Cafeteria of Smith Vocational High School (80 Locust Street) from 12 PM to 4 PM. Please enter from the parking lot behind the main building.
We anticipate having the following skill sets during our September 2019 event. This list may expand. See note below.
- Small appliance repair
- Computer, computer peripheral, and handheld device diagnosis & repair
- Garment repair
- Bag and outdoor gear repair (sleeping bags, purses, backpacks, etc.)
- Light sewing machine repair
- Bicycle maintenance & repair
- Glue-based repair (furniture, ceramics, etc.)
PLEASE NOTE: We will have very limited ability to sharpen knives at this event.
Be sure to check back as the event date draws closer as the list will grow and may change as we hear back from our volunteer Fixperts. We don't want you to bring something and be disappointed that we lack the skills to fix it that day. The most accurate information will be available on this page the day before the event.
Manufacturer design, age, available skill level, tools, and time all influence whether or not we can fix an item. We'll give it our best shot! Limited repair supplies for our events are provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Dividends grant program, but projects may require participants to purchase additional materials at a local hardware store. Voluntary donations to offset event expenses are encouraged.
In addition to repair assistance, during our September 21st event we'll offer:
Free Micro workshops
- Button-sewing 101 at 1:30 PM
- Lamp Repair 101 at 2:00 PM
- Clothing Repair--No Needles Needed! at 2:30 PM
- Fixing Flats (bicycle tires) at 3:00 PM
Grain/Feed/Seed Bag Reclamation
We'll help you make your own reusable shopping bag out of a used-but-still-awesome brewery grain or livestock feedbag. For more information, check out The Bagshare Project.
Interested in joining the Community RePair Volunteer team?
We are always on the lookout for people interested in joining the Community RePair volunteer team. Whether you are someone with repair skills or someone who is willing to pitch in to help our events run more smoothly, we would like to talk with you. Please email Susan Waite or call 413-587-1059.