Connect With Your Community!
Connect With Your Community!
A unique event next week in Gallatin County will allow area residents to have items fixed while preventing them from ending up at the Logan Landfill.
Gallatin County Solid Waste Management is hosting a Fix-It Repair Clinic on Friday, October 11, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Belgrade Community Library at 106 N. Broadway.
According to Logan Landfill Recycling and Outreach Educator Patty Howard, the first fix-it clinic was in 2016, and while there have been some ebbs and flows due to Covid, it started to pick up steam again last year and was a very good event.
Howard said nearly 400 pounds of items, including radios and other electronics, jewelry, bicycles, tents, duffle bags, and more, were prevented from going to the Logan Landfill in 2023 and nearly 3,000 pounds since the program’s inception.
“It’s wonderful. People bring in precious little family heirlooms they didn’t think would ever work again, and the volunteers who fix these are like miracle workers. They get these things going, and people are so excited when they leave with their heirlooms restored,” said Howard. “There are tough times for other people who don’t have money to get things fixed, so this offers them an opportunity to get something they need fixed and have it working so they don’t have to put up the money to buy something new. It’s nice you can help people get things repaired, and the ultimate goal is to keep those things in working order and keep them out of the landfill. It’s a win-win all the way around.”
At last year’s clinic, Howard said someone brought in a duffle bag, and volunteers were able to put in a new liner. Howard also discussed a unique item she described as an “eccentric” clock.
“It had pieces that were broken, and a volunteer brought out a soldering iron and some other items, and it looked good as new. You would never know it was repaired,” said Howard. “You never know what is going to come in, and volunteers are prepared for anything. If anything is broken, bring it by, and we can see what we can do to fix it.
With the event nearing, Howard stressed the importance of the volunteers.
“The volunteers are crucial. Without them, we wouldn’t have the clinic. People are going to have stuff, but without the people to repair them, that is the number one priority,” Howard said.
Community-minded fixers who can help with such items as sewing, book repairs, repairing jewelry, electronics, bikes, and small appliances who are interested in volunteering can contact Howard by email at patricia.howard@gallatin.mt.govor by phone at 406-582-2493.
