Repair Cafes have officially returned to Maple Ridge for the seventh year, with dozens of items being repaired at the first event of 2024 on Feb. 10.
The program had a strong return, with Ridge Meadows Recycling Society community engagement manager attributing this to the reputation the Repair Cafes have built up throughout the past six years.
“Many residents now know there are Repair Cafes held each month, so if something breaks or tears, they save it instead of throwing it out because they know there is an upcoming event where they can get it fixed,” said Koehn.
“Our volunteers enjoy seeing some of the more interesting items that come into the cafes. In 2023 we fixed an accordion, a drone, and an electric typewriter from the 1990s.”
This was just the first of many Repair Cafes that will take place this year, partially thanks to a recent $10,000 grant from Vancity.
READ MORE: Maple Ridge Repair Cafes will return bigger than ever thanks to Vancity grant
There will be eight more of these events throughout 2024 at various locations:
• March 16 (Maple Ridge Seniors Centre)
• April 20 (Memorial Peace Park)
• May 18 (Albion Community Centre)
• June 22 (Memorial Peace Park)
• July 13 (Maple Ridge Seniors Centre)
• Sept. 21 (Memorial Peace Park)
• Oct. 19 (Maple Ridge Public Library)
• Nov. 23 (Maple Ridge Public Library)
These Repair Cafes give locals a chance to have their household possessions fixed for free by volunteers without the need to bring anything except their broken items.
A wide variety of products are accepted at Repair Cafes, including jewelry, socks, small electronics, bicycles, and much more.
“We have an amazing team of fixers,” said Koehn. “They are a very dedicated bunch who love new challenges. The social connections they make with each other and residents who visit the cafes are also a big part of why they volunteer.”
READ ALSO: Maple Ridge Repair Cafe records busiest day ever
For more information on upcoming Repair Cafes, call 604-463-5545 or email leanne@mrecycling.org.