A Repair Café with Deschutes Public Library
On Wednesday, we had our final Repair Café of the year. For this one, we were glad to partner with Deschutes Public Library, and hold it at Redmond Proficiency Academy.
We once again broke our most recent Redmond Repair Café record with more than 62 attendees and over 70 items at this one. We heard a diverse range of answers for how folks learned about it: from Facebook, to the paper, to utility mailer, email, library, friends, mother, KTVZ, poster, newsletter, online, Bend Buzz, Gear Fix email, and a few more word of mouth referrals. If you’ve been to one in the past, or shared the word about it, thank you!
A big thanks again to our awesome fixer volunteers, who quite simply make these events possible. Our goal with these events is to create a repair culture here in Central Oregon. While Repair Cafés are an international concept, and the first one was held by Martine Postma in Amsterdam in 2009, the shared goals are extending the life of broken items – keeping them out of the landfill and avoiding the need to buy new things – along with community and skill building for everyone involved.
Below I’ve included a recap in numbers, comments, and photos. I think one comment in particular from a first-timer sums up these events best: “I didn’t expect it to be so much fun!” 😄
By the numbers
- 62+ attendees + 13 fixers
- 70+ items
- Oldest item: Deep fat fryer from the 1950s!
In their own words
In addition to lots of “Great job” and “Great experience”, here’s what attendees had to say:
- He fixed the switch and it now sings!!
- Too new appliances can’t be worked on – designed to be tossed and consumer must buy new
- Learned how to do it next time!
- MAGIC!!
- Had so much fun speaking w/ Alison! And my skirt is fixed and looks fabulous. Thank you!!
- She was very kind and fast. Would come again.
- So fast! Yay!
- The people helping me were so kind and fun to speak with plus my item is fixed. Thank you!! <3
- So excited it works again. Deep fat fryer from 1950s!
- This is an awesome event.
- Kasey was awesome! I learned how to fix it myself!
- Wonderfully talent gentleman. I appreciate him and his work.
- Nico was awesome – identified problem quickly and fixed zipper + small rip as well
- Thank you! So happy the boots work again! <3
- Alison did a wonderful job, very happy with repair.
Dave was great; tried hard! - Madie did a wonderful job with my puffer coat! So happy with the repair
- It was great! Super easy and quick
- Broken jeans zippers are probably too big a job for repair cafe
- Portable circular saw had partially severed power cord. Recommended against repair – replace entire cord
- The guy got it 98% fixed! Great job and I’ll finish at home 🙂
- My remedy was most likely the best Maddie said for the sock repair
- Good Job Nico!
- Repair too long for event
- Maddie was quick + efficient
- Robert tried but not able to fix – he gave me good advice to how I could fix
- Dave was very helpful and had additional suggestions – Thank you!
- Small appliance team work at its best!
In Photos
A big thanks again to everyone who attended and made this another successful and fun event!
If you like fixing things and would like to volunteer, you can fill out the fixer form. If you or a community group are interested in partnering with us for next year, please reach out. Our new Program Coordinator, Naomi Serio, will be leading these events next year, and you can reach her at naomi@envirocenter.org.