PORT TOWNSEND — The lamp with the finicky switch. The chair with the wobbly leg. The knife whose blade slides off a tomato instead of slicing through it. The favorite pair of pants with a hole in the knee or the necklace with the broken clasp.
Don’t pitch them, fix them.
Bring your broken, your dull, your damaged and your torn to one of Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s free JeffCo Repair events, where volunteers will not just repair and mend your item, but show you how to do it for yourself.
The purpose of the events is not just about repair, but about bringing people together to share their knowledge, changing mindsets about extending the life of the products we use and encouraging practices that divert them from ending up in landfills.
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center is sponsoring JeffCo Repair with the support of Local 20/20’s Beyond Waste action group. Grant funding for the program is provided through a state Department of Ecology Public Participation Grant.
JeffCo Repair events will have volunteers offering their skills in small appliance and electronics repair; sewing and knitting; tool sharpening; bicycle repair and cleaning; simple jewelry repair; and fixing miscellaneous household items. There is a limit of two items per person.
• March 11, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. — Blue Heron Middle School Cafeteria, 3939 San Juan Ave., Port Townsend.
• March 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Quilcene Community Center, 294952 U.S. Highway 101, Quilcene.
• May 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Tri-Area Community Center, 10 W. Valley Road, Chimacum.
• June 3, 11 a.m. -2 p.m. — Brinnon Community Center, 306144 U.S. Highway 101, Brinnon.
Jeffco Repair events follow local guidelines for COVID and masking protocols. Masks will be recommended, but not required, and will be available at events.
Out of respect for volunteers, clean items before bringing them in to be repaired. For example, dump out the vacuum collection canister and wash clothing.
If your repair is outside the scope of a volunteer’s expertise, he or she may be able to recommend temporary solutions or a professional in the area who can assist you.
Volunteers cannot work on microwaves and gas engines.
An item can be refused for repair for any reason.
If you agree to have an item repaired, you will be asked to sign a waiver holding the marine science center and volunteers harmless for any potential damage.
For questions, contact Mandi Johnson at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at mjohnson@ptmsc.org or 360-385-5582.
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Paula Hunt can be reached at 360-425-2345, ext. 50583, or by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
