JeffCo Repair

What do you do with...
Your favorite sweater with a tear in the elbow?
A toaster that no longer works?
A vacuum that stopped working and has you stumped?
A resume that could use an extra set of eyes? 
A bike with a squeaky wheel?
You bring it to a Repair Event!

JeffCo Repair is a grant-funded project sponsored by PTMSC, with the support of Local 2020's Beyond Waste action group. Funding is provided through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. 

What are Repair Events?
Repair Events are free community gatherings where individuals can bring their broken belongings to be repaired by local volunteers with a variety of skills and knowledge. Our crew of volunteers can do repairs ranging from rewiring a floor lamp or figuring out why the suction on your vacuum has suddenly stopped to mending a torn fabric item. These events spark connections within the community through the exchange of valuable mending and repair knowledge - all while diverting personal possessions from the landfill! 

Interested in volunteering?
Do you have repair skills or just love tinkering with items, figuring our what the problem might be and putting it back together? We invite you to join our crew of volunteers! Limited, modest stipends are available. Contact Mandi at mjohnson@ptmsc.org for more information on how to get involved.

Upcoming In-Person Repair Events

September 30th, 10am-1pm - Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St, Port Townsend
This event will have volunteers helping repair small appliances/electronics, sewing/knitting, tool sharpening, bicycle repair, simple jewelry repair, and other household items. **If there is a line for a certain type of repair, we will stop accepting those items at 12:30. 

October 28th, 10am-1pm - Tri-Area Community Center, 10 W Valley Rd, Chimacum 
This event will have volunteers helping repair small appliances/electronics, sewing/knitting, tool sharpening, bicycle repair, simple jewelry repair, other household items, and basic tech support (along with assistance with general computer skills).

November 4th, 10am-1pm - Quilcene Community Center, 294952 US-101, Quilcene
This event will have volunteers helping repair small appliances/electronics, sewing/knitting, tool sharpening, bicycle repair, other household items, and basic tech support (along with assistance with general computer skills).

 

In-person rEpair events - what to expect and a few reminders

For these events, we will have volunteers donating their time to help repair small appliances and electronics, textiles/clothes, bicycles, tool sharpening, and other household items. Limit of 2 items per person. If you know the specific part needed to repair your item, we ask that you bring it with. 

For textile/clothing repairs, it may be helpful to reach out before the event with photos of your damaged belonging. This can help our textile volunteers come prepared with any necessary fabric scraps/yarn and also attempt to bring supplies that will match your item. We cannot guarantee a perfect match since volunteers will be using what they have on-hand. Thus, you are more than welcome to bring along any supplies (fabric, yarn, etc) you'd like that may match better.

Things to keep in mind:

• Our events follow local guidelines in regards to COVID and masking protocols. As of now, masks will be recommended but not required at events. We will have masks available at events.
• Out of respect for our volunteers, please make the effort to clean items before bringing them in to be repaired (i.e., dump out the vacuum collection canister, wash linens beforehand, and etc). 
• To reduce our collective carbon footprint, we encourage everyone to make use of the many different forms of transportation that are available! This can include our public transportation system, biking, walking, or combining your trip here with another errand! Find the local bus schedule here, or try out the Moovit app. If you're located in PT, take a peek at these local walking and biking map resources.
  Thanks for helping us all be a part of the solution together!
• Your repair might be outside of the scope of our fixers! If this is the case, they may be able to recommend temporary solutions or a professional in our area that could provide the needed services. Additionally, at the event you will be asked to sign a waiver holding PTMSC and volunteers harmless for any potential damage to your property.  

We are unable to work on:

• Microwaves and gas engines.
• Any item can be refused a repair attempt for any issue such as size or leaking oil, ink, etc. 

 

Interested in more?
Our Impact (Find past event statistics)
What to do with your stuff? Waste Reduction Resources
The Repair Initiative

Questions? Contact Mandi at mjohnson@ptmsc.org.