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.
June 15 RePair Event
Our June event will be held in the Cafeteria of Smith Vocational High School (80 Locust Street) from 12 PM - 4 PM. Please enter the building from the parking lot behind the main building.
Below is a working list of skills that will be offered. Please check back as the date draws closer; the most accurate information will be available the day before the event.
- Light bicycle repair
- Computer, and hand-held device trouble-shooting and repair
- Furniture and small decorative object repair (glue-based repair)
- Garment repair (machine & hand sewing), as well as repair of non-garment items requiring a heavy-duty (industrial) machine, such as backpacks, sleeping bags and hand bags.
- Darning (repair of knitted items)
- Lamp and small household electrical appliance repair
- Knife & garden tool sharpening
Manufacturer design, age, and 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 June 15th event we'll have:
- A brief lamp repair workshop at 3PM
- A brief button-sewing workshop at 2PM
- Volunteers to help you make your own reusable shopping bag out of a reclaimed brewery grain or livestock feedbag.
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.