Don't Throw It Out; Neighbors Will Help You Fix It In Mamaroneck

MAMARONECK, NY — Mamaroneck residents will have the chance to get to know their neighbors a little bit better and maybe finally get that karaoke machine back in working order again.

The Town of Mamaroneck will host its first Repair Café, billed as a friendly, community-centered approach to being more sustainable.

The Repair Café will be held at the Mamaroneck Senior Center at 1288 W. Boston Post Rd on October 16, from noon until 4 p.m. People visiting the Repair Café are invited to bring their broken items from home. Toasters, lamps, hair dryers, clothes, toys, crockery, costume jewelry, electronic equipment (that can be easily fixed) or anything else that is broken, not working or can be mended, and can be carried in by one person are welcome.

Town officials say the goal of the program is to help reduce waste by promoting repairs, rather than having items end up in the landfill.

"We throw away piles of stuff in the U.S., even things which could easily be used again after a simple repair," Kevin Crowe, a volunteer with the Town’s Sustainability Collaborative said. "Unfortunately, we tend to think, 'buy new' and Repair Café wants to change that mindset."

The concept is also meant to put neighbors in touch with each other in a new way, and to discover that a lot of know-how and practical skills can be found close to home.

"If you repair a toaster, a CD player or a pair of trousers together with a previously unfamiliar neighbor, you look at that person in a new light the next time you run into them on the street," volunteer George Roniger said. "Jointly making repairs can lead to pleasant contacts in the neighborhood."

Volunteer repair experts are needed. Those interested are asked to contact Supervisor Nancy Seligson’s office. Volunteers should be available to help make repairs free of charge. Tools and materials will be provided.

"I’m thrilled that our volunteers organized this event. As a NYS-certified Climate Smart Community, this fits with our goal to create less waste and be a more sustainable community," Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson said. "Repair Cafés also show that repairing items can be a fun community effort."

Repair Café Foundation

The Repair Café concept was created in the Netherlands in 2009 by Martine Postma, who was at the time, an Amsterdam-based journalist/publicist. In 2010, she started the Repair Café Foundation https://www.repaircafe.org/. This foundation provides support to local groups around the world wishing to start their own Repair Café.

Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative

The Sustainability Collaborative is a volunteer committee created to advise the Town on environmental issues. Please see https://www.townofmamaroneckny.org/324/Sustainability-Collaborative

Those interested in volunteering for the Repair Café or who have questions are asked to call Supervisor Nancy Seligson’s office at 914.381.7805 or email mamaroneckrepaircafe21@gmail.com.