Centennial resident John Hodge joins Joseph Chan and Abdallah Kassem, all Repair Cafe volunteers, along with traffic light owner Jill MacMillan as she holds up the fixed sign.
By Jill Macmillan
The Repair Café volunteers work hard to fix everything. If they can fix it on the spot, they will. If they need parts, they will tell you the parts you need and to come back again, so they can help you get it working. If it isn’t fixable, they will let you know that too.
I had something that needed fixing; to be brought back to life and shine bright like it once did. I was sure that the Repair Café volunteers had never had the experience of working on anything so unusual before. The question was, could they get an actual traffic signal light to work?
Before bringing in this signal light, I had to find out what parts were needed to get it working again. Knowing it needed to be rewired for a plug, I bought an extension cord and found a sequencer board with three slots for different connections on Amazon, hoping this was all that was needed.
On the day the Repair Café volunteers set up shop at the Port Union Community Centre, I carried this 4-foot-tall traffic signal light in with the parts I had purchased.
There were others signed up with their items and many volunteers working intently to repair them; everything from broken zippers on coats to clocks, toasters, jewelry and sewing machines. I learn something every time I visit the Repair Café because the volunteers explain what they are doing and how.
I was given a number for the waiting list and instantly felt lucky because I got number 11, which is my favourite number and has been since my tee ball and volleyball years.
While I was waiting for my number to be called, I could feel the excitement grow as several volunteers came over to see the light, hoping to work on it. This was something new for them; something that they never imagined would be brought in!
Two gentlemen carried the traffic light into the repair room and set it on the table. Together, we opened it up and discussed what I would like the traffic light to do, which was to alternate between the lights and add a plug. I showed them the parts I had and they quickly got to work on it, removing the old wire and cutting wires that needed to be rerouted through the sequencer board.
They were very excited to get this project started! It took about an hour of intense labour, but they got it working with the lights cycling through red, green, then yellow!
Many volunteers and patrons stopped what they were doing and came over to see it working. John Hodge, Joseph Chan and Abdallah Kassem stood proudly holding up the light they had repaired as many photos were taken.
I held up a sign next to them which read “REPAIRED”, as is customary at this shop, and everyone smiled and cheered as they watched the traffic lights flashing its signals. It was very exciting!
Once an item is repaired, customers are asked to ring a bell to let the crowd know it was a successful endeavour. There were two bells and I rang them both loud and proud!
There is an option to tip the repair crew which I did quite happily as I was so grateful to them for their time and energy! This was a fun and gratifying day as I didn’t have to risk getting a shock by trying to do it myself, with little knowledge of electrical wiring.
The two technicians politely carried the light out to the car for me. At only 1 foot shy of my height, it was awkward to carry.
They told me I had made their day and thanked me for bringing it in. I smiled and thanked them for their greater work, and for making my day fun and exciting!
“My niece will love it for her birthday” I said, “and it will look great on her wall. “
I let them know that I would be back again on Saturday, February 28 with another unusual item: a Walk/ Don’t Walk signal! They laughed.
I’m sure they are looking forward to this next “electrifying” experience!
The next Repair Café is scheduled for April 11 at the Port Union Community Centre.