New event is set for November 2nd
“Toss it away? No way!”
That is the motto of the Repair Cafe movement, a free community event where residents can bring their beloved but broken items, and together with volunteer Repair Coaches, they get fixed! The whole idea is to change mindsets from simply tossing broken or torn or worn items away but to find a way to fix or repurpose them, said Olga Anderson, a member of the Highlanders Club, and chair of The Town of Highlands Citizens Environmental Committee, which is organizing the Repair Cafe of Highland Falls.
The November 2 event is sponsored by the Highlanders Senior Club who will host it at the Senior Center on Drew Ave.
The mission of the Repair Cafes is consistent with the mission of the Environmental Committee, Anderson added, as both aim to foster community, sustainability and resilience.
“What better way to do that than to bring the knowledge and skills that seniors have acquired over the years to share and preserve something that may otherwise wind up in a land fill,” she said.
Since this is the first time the Repair Cafe will operate in Highland Falls, the Highlanders are starting with a few stations: small appliances such as coffee pots or lamps which Dick Stair will coach; sewing repairs coached by Kathy Foerster; small jewelry repairs by Mary McCormack; plant information by Olga Anderson; and laptop and cell phone coaching by Erica Affronti — who is our sole non-senior.
The way it works is that people bring the item that needs attention to the Senior Center, and collaborate with the coaches to determine how to fix or properly use the item on the spot. Nothing is left behind or taken away by the coaches to repair later. There is no cost for the work but if any parts are needed they will be charged at cost.
Donations are welcome so we can continue to support this event in the future, Anderson said. Plans are to hold Repair Cafes quarterly throughout the year.
The Repair Café idea was born in Amsterdam, Holland in 2009 and was brought to New Paltz by volunteer organizer John Wackman in 2013. There are now 40 Repair Cafes in 10 counties in the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Capital region.
The program opens at 10 a.m. and last admission will be at noon, so come early and enjoy coffee and a bake sale hosted by The Highlanders.
For information or to volunteer for this event contact Olga Anderson at 917-509-1200 or olga.anderson@gmail.com. For more information about Repair Cafes in the Hudson Valley go to http://www.repaircafehv.org.
