PINE RIVER — We live in a fast changing world, where it often feels easier to throw out a broken item than repair it.
Happy Dancing Turtle, a nonprofit located in Pine River, wants to change how we think about that. Jenny Hill is the organization's public relations and communications specialist, and lately, her work has been focused on the idea of reusing things.
In a recent Bright Spot conversation on the KAXE Morning Show, Hill told us about recent swap events held at Happy Dancing Turtle that have included craft supplies and outdoor recreation items.
Now, Happy Dancing Turtle is getting in on the growing trend of fix-it events. The goal is to actually repair a broken item instead of buying a new one. This also keeps old items out of landfills.
If you have skills in sewing, repair, or if you just like to tinker, fill out this form by July 15 so that planning can begin. Once there are enough "fixers," Happy Dancing Turtle will plan free fix-it events where you can go and hopefully get your item fixed.
"It's a chicken and an egg situation, where we don't know what we can offer to fix until we know who's willing to offer their skills," Hill said.
Another goal of the events is to teach these skills so that more people are able to fix their own items and share that knowledge with others.
Hill said, "What we've found so far is that people can be a little shy about their repair skills, like 'Oh, it's nothing!' ... People don't realize that that's something other people want to learn."
Listen to our full conversation above to hear more about the vision for fix it events, Minnesota's Right to Repair law and what else is happening at Happy Dancing Turtle this summer.
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The Bright Spot is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
