Volunteers from across Metro Vancouver came out to 91原创鈥檚 Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) store to repair visitors鈥� worn and torn outdoor gear items on Saturday, Jan. 27.

Jeff Reeve came from Surrey with his wife and brought their five-year-old Red Heeler pup, Apollo, to have a pair of hiking boots repaired and see their son 鈥� who was one of the volunteers.

鈥淲e鈥檝e had them for three or four years. They鈥檝e been well used,鈥� Reeve chuckled.

He added that Repair Cafes are important to help ensure gear lasts.

The couple hike as time allows now, but when they first met they hiked regularly. A favourite spot they returned to was the Green Lake trail in Chilliwack.

Apollo was calm as he sat at Reeve鈥檚 feet in MEC, but his owner assured that he was energetic when in the woods.

鈥淗e doesn鈥檛 stop until he needs a drink, then keeps on going,鈥� Reeve said.

Amika Watari, Kwantlen Polytechnic University student and staff member at MEC, was 鈥渟toked鈥� for the event to be held at her work.

鈥淚t made sense to host one in store because we sell outdoor gear and have extra parts for repairs, and we have a couple mechanics in today,鈥� she said.

In the first hour of the event, various types of jackets, boots, bags, and other equipment like tents were brought in for repairs.

Watari was working on patching up a down-jacket that was more than 10 years old.

鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty great that the jacket has lasted so long. Reducing textile waste involves working with what exists and what we already have,鈥� she said.

She added that the event was an opportunity for staff and community members to learn some new skills too.

MEC also offered a 15 per cent discount for those who utilized the Repair Cafe for a purchase in store the same day.

Asha Rai, also from Surrey, volunteered her sewing skills for her second time at a 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) Repair Cafe.

鈥淚 feel like if I can help in a space, then I will鈥� it can be expensive to repair your gear,鈥� Rai previously told the 91原创 Advance Times.

Growing up with her grandmother, Rai watched her sew her family鈥檚 suits and cultural attire. Eventually, she learned how to use the family鈥檚 factory sewing machine to tailor their clothes herself.

鈥淚f you can find a way to reuse or repurpose something, it鈥檚 always better 鈥� or donations are something that needs to be considered more鈥� not just for textiles, but for electronics, batteries, glass all fit the bill of needing to be removed from landfills,鈥� she said.

More Repair Cafes are planned for 2024, said LEPS executive director Nichole Marples, with the next one already scheduled at the Aldergrove library on March 16.

LEPS is seeking volunteers for the upcoming Aldergrove event. Those interested can reach out at volunteer@leps.bc.ca.

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