Free New Bedford Workshops Teach You to Fix Clothes and Bikes

Thanks to a grant from New Bedford Creative, the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District and New Bedford Community Services are joining with other partners to hold a pair of free workshops on repairing and reusing items that, in many cases today, might be thrown away.

Free Repair Workshops Coming to New Bedford

Marissa Perez-Dormitzer of the Refuse District and Mali Lim of Community Services visited Townsquare Sunday to talk about the workshops and why they're important.

"We're always thinking about extending the life of materials," Perez-Dormitzer said. "Every time we repair a piece of clothing, or sharpen a knife, we can extend the life of these items and keep them out of our local landfill at Crapo Hill in Dartmouth."

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Mali Lim was involved in a "Fix It Cafe" program, about 15 years ago at UMass Dartmouth. "I thought it would be great to do something like this again, so when the grant opportunity opened up, I reached out to Marissa," she said.

Clothing Repair Workshop Scheduled for March

The first workshop "Mending, Darning and Patching–Oh My!" is scheduled for March 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Howland-Green Branch Library, located 3 Rodney French Boulevard.

"I have four kids in my house, and I know of two jackets that need new zippers," Perez-Dormitzer said. "We're bringing in experts from Bushwood Tailors Opportunity Shop and Alder and Alder to help participants learn how to replace buttons, fix zippers, darn wool socks and sweaters."

If you are going, bring along an item to repair.

Bicycle Repair Workshop Coming in May

The second workshop, "A Bicycle Fixed By You," is scheduled for May 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., also at the Howland Green Branch Library. The workshop will be led by Bill Trimble of Youth Opportunities Unlimited who will guide participants on how to fix common bike issues, like flat tires.

How to Donate Bikes

If you are looking to donate a bike, you can do that, too. The Youth Opportunities Unlimited Bike Shop at 195 Rodney French Boulevard will be open May 9 to accept donations.

Additional workshops are being planned for later this year.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.