Repair Clark County program awarded a two-year grant from the Department of Ecology
VANCOUVER — Officials with Columbia Springs’ repair program, Repair Clark County, recently announced the program has been funded for an additional two years. The program is free and open to the public and routinely fixes between 80-120 broken, dull, ripped or torn items at various venues throughout Clark County.
“We’re so pleased to be awarded the grant again.” said Terra Heilman, the program’s coordinator. “These events are proving to be invaluable to the people who attend. They serve as a way to reduce waste and also as an opportunity for community building and skill sharing.”
The Repair Clark County program successfully fixed almost 1,700 items in its first two year grant cycle and boasts a repair rate in the high 80’s. “We have volunteer fixers who can look at just about everything.” said Heilman.
The program works with items in six major categories:
• Sewing-rips, tears, replacement buttons, zippers, etc
• Sharpening-knives, garden tools, scissors, etc
• Electronics
• Appliances-toasters, mixers, food processors, etc
• Bicycles
• Other-jewelry, wind chimes, home decor, etc
“The only items we can’t work with are microwaves and gas engines. Anything else, we’ll at least take a look at it. With such high repair rates, the odds are good you’ll go home with a working item.” says Heilman.
Earlier this year, the program applied for funding through the Washington State Department of Ecology’s public participation grants program. “Our events are focused on waste reduction and that is also a major goal at the state level, so we’re excited to carry on with this important work.” concluded Heilman.
The next RCC event will be held at the Three Creeks Community Library in Salmon Creek. The date is Thu., July 11. Clients can bring in their broken items from 5-7 p.m. that evening. The address is 800 NE Tenney Rd, Vancouver. For the rest of the 2019 schedule, clients can visit repairclarkcounty.org
Located on a 100-acre natural area in the city of Vancouver, Columbia Springs is dedicated to providing outdoor recreation and science education close to home. The Repair Clark County program offers free events at various Clark County locations where volunteer fixers repair broken household items to prevent landfill waste and extend the life of items, thereby saving residents money and conserving resources.
Information provided by Columbia Springs.
