NEWS RELEASE
SUSTAINABLE ORILLIA
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Toss It? No Way! This is the Repair Café motto.
At this pop up community event supported by Sustainable Orillia, people are invited to bring items that are broken or need mending and volunteer "fixers" will try to repair those items. Volunteers with a variety of skills will be offering their help to turn would-be “trash” into “treasure.”
This is the sixth time community members in Orillia have come together to host a Repair Café event. The first one took place in March 2018, followed by several more in various downtown locations. The event that was planned for April 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic, and then Sustainable Orillia hosted a fifth Repair Café in September 2021.
At previous events, a whole variety of items were fixed or mended. Pants were hemmed, computer problems were sorted and loose furniture legs were secured. In addition, broken toys, small electronics and lamps were all given a new lease on life, contributing to more than ~100 kg of potential waste diverted from the landfill so far.
The timing of the event is perfect given that we are celebrating Earth Day this week.
"We have become a 'throw-away' and 'single-use' society and it is destroying our planet," says local environmental steward Marilyn Clark. "I am retired and have a more limited income. The opportunity to bring items to the Repair Café helps me save money and do something tangible to help the environment.”
The planning team is still recruiting and confirming volunteer “fixers” for the Repair Café taking place in downtown Orillia on Saturday April 27, but they anticipate visitors will be able to get help with:
- Bicycles - basic spring tune up
- Computers/tech troubleshooting
- Electronics (DVD players, stereos, computer hardware, etc)
- Electrical items (hair dryers, kitchen appliances, etc)
- Gardening tips
- General repairs
- Household items (fans, lamps, baskets, etc).
- Instruments (Guitars and Ukuleles) - tuning and/or restringing
- Jewellery
- Sewing/fabrics/mending (note: if a zipper is required please bring your own)
- Toys
- And more!
Thanks to support from Sustainable Orillia, St. James’ Anglican Church, and Lake Country Time Trade, there is no cost to attend or have items repaired, but goodwill donations will be accepted. Light refreshments will be available and the event will also feature some child-friendly activities.
"Building community is so important. As human beings, we need a sense of belonging, and that sense of belonging is what connects us through the many relationships we develop and to the planet. The Repair Café is helping to create a sustainable community," said Clark.
The repair cafe concept started in Amsterdam in 2009 when Martine Postma was feeling frustrated with society's "throw away" culture and decided to take action. Repair Cafe events are now run across the world saving money, reducing landfill waste, cutting CO2 emissions, promoting learning and fostering community connections.
When: Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Check in closes at 2:30 p.m.
- Pre-registration is encouraged to help us prepare
Where: St. James' Anglican Church, 58 Peter St. N., Orillia
Cost: Free (Goodwill donations to cover costs will be gratefully accepted)
More information is available online.
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