A Fix-It Clinic was held at the Acton Memorial Library on Saturday, November 25 from 10:00 – 1:00 PM. The event attracted seventeen individuals and families with a variety of items in need of repair. These items included a clock, handbag, lighted tree, wheelchair, miniature sewing machine, miniature accordion, handmade quilt, and more. There were seven volunteer coaches on hand with a variety of tools and parts to aid in the repairs. More importantly, the coaches provided tutoring so that visitors could learn the tool operation and techniques necessary to do repair work on their own. The clinics help keep broken items out of the landfill, but also build skills and knowledge.
Launched by Rob Gogan, member of the Green Acton Materials Committee, Saturday’s clinic was the third, with two more scheduled in 2024, on February 24 and May 18. Frann Addison, Gogan’s spouse, said “We aim to hold the clinics quarterly.” The success rate is high, and each time a repair is made, a bell is rung to signal a successful outcome. Only occasionally does an item stump a coach, and the owner is sent home with a recommendation for a part to purchase or a repair shop to visit. Jim and Dana Snyder-Grant brought Dana’s wheelchair in hopes of fixing a light that wasn’t working. The light wasn’t fixed, but they learned that replacing a missing screw would most likely do the trick.
Just before the clinic ended at 1:00, a final bell was rung by Lua Akerstein, age 6, to signal the repair of her small sewing machine.
