At Columbia Springs, everything we do is about connection.
Connection to place.
Connection to the natural world.
Connection to each other.
Whether someone is walking a forest trail, releasing salmon, or sitting at a table with a broken appliance, the goal is the same. To help people feel more connected to their environment, wherever they are.
Our Repair program is one of the most tangible ways we see that happen. I was reminded of that at our most recent Repair event.
As I walked through the room, taking in the steady hum of conversation, tools, and problem-solving, I suddenly smelled toast. Not something you expect at a repair event. I followed the smell and found a small group gathered around a table. Two volunteers were leaning in, watching closely. A toaster sat plugged in between them. And sure enough, a piece of toast slowly popped up.
Everyone laughed.
Next to the toaster was a silicone bag filled with different “testing materials” for toasting. Bread, English muffins….they came prepared.
They had brought a toaster to be repaired, along with an item to be sharpened, and they were fully invested in making sure it worked before they left.
We started talking. They shared that they knew Columbia Springs through a good friend, a former executive director. There was this immediate sense of connection. Not just to the place, but to its history, and the people who have shaped it over time.
It was warm. It was joyful. And it felt exactly like what this work is supposed to be.
And it wouldn’t have happened without our volunteers.
They are the heart of these events. They show up with skills, patience, and a willingness to sit beside someone and figure something out together. They don’t just fix things. They create space for people to learn, to ask questions, and to feel capable.
And they chose to be there.
On a gorgeous, sunny Saturday, when they could have been anywhere else, they showed up to give their time, their knowledge, and their care to their community.
What stood out just as much was how they made space for new volunteers.
Repair can feel intimidating, especially when you are just starting out and trying your skills in a room full of people. But that didn’t slow anyone down.
We had a high school student from Vancouver Public Schools join us, and he jumped right in. When he had questions, the volunteers around him stepped in, not to take over, but to guide. They answered questions, offered support, and made sure he was a part of the work.
And it wasn’t just him.
New volunteers across the room were trying things for the first time, building confidence with every conversation, every small success, and every moment of support from the people around them.
And beyond the repair tables, there was a whole team making the day possible.
Registration welcoming each person as they arrived. Runners guiding people through the space, helping them get checked in, making sure their repair ticket made it to the right table. Part logistics, part host, part cruise director.
“Snacks are over there.”
“Bathrooms are this way.”
“Let’s get you to the waiting area.”
Hospitality making sure everyone felt cared for. Fixers sharing their skills at every tables. Setup and takedown crews transforming the space before and after. People hauling supply bins from Columbia Springs to the site and back again. A volunteer photographer capturing the moments.
It takes all of it.
That’s what makes this program special. It’s not just about what gets fixed. It’s about how people show up for each other, in big and small ways, to make something meaningful happen.
Because repair is never just about the item. Yes, we fix appliances, sharpen tools, mend clothing, and troubleshoot electronics. And yes, every item repaired keeps something out of the landfill and reduces the need for new resources.
But more importantly, repair builds connection.
Connection to the things we use every day.
Connection to the knowledge behind them.
Connection to th people sitting across the table.
And in that connection, something shifts.
A broken item becomes an opportunity.
A stranger becomes a teacher.
A quick fix becomes a shared experience.
In 2025, our community brought 679 items to Repair Clark County events, and together, we fixed 86% of them (550 items). But what stays with you isn’t the number.
It’s the moment you smell toast in the middle of a repair event. It’s the laughter around a table. It’s a new volunteer gaining confidence with every question they ask. It’s people choosing to spend a beautiful day helping others. It’s the many hands, seen and unseen, making it all work. And it’s the quiet, steady reminder that this work matters.
Blog and photos by Katherine Cory.