*PHOTOS* Hopkinton Senior Services’ Repair Fair Program Recognized for Excellence by National Institute of Senior Centers 

HOPKINTON – The Town of Hopkinton and Hopkinton Senior Services is pleased to share the success of the recent Repair Fair, a program which was recognized for excellence by the National Institute of Senior Centers.

Repair events have become a growing movement across the country. Hopkinton Senior Services, in partnership with the Hopkinton Lions Club, joined the effort last year and hosted its own events, Repair Fairs, which have garnered an abundance of success.

The Repair Fair is a community event where people bring impaired-but-repairable items such as tables with wobbly legs, scissors or garden tools that have become dull, lamps with broken switches and more, and local volunteers repair them at no charge.

The event aims to increase sustainability efforts by keeping items from filling landfills, keeps money in resident’s pockets, and brings the community together as volunteers use their talents to help one another.

Hopkinton hosted its first Repair Fair in September 2022, attracting 36 attendees. By the second event, held in April, participation had nearly doubled to 61 attendees. 

The Town’s third event was held on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Senior Center, 28 Mayhew St. During the event, a total of 35 items were repaired and more than 100 knives and garden tools were sharpened. 

Each event has grown both the Senior Center’s volunteer list as well as the items that they have been able to repair. Book re-binding, completed by Hopkinton Adult Librarian Danielle Cook, will be a new offering at the next Repair Fair.

As a result of the Repair Fair’s success in 2022, Hopkinton Senior Services was recognized as part of the National Institute of Senior Centers’ (NCOA) Annual Programs of Excellence awards. 

Hopkinton’s Repair Fair was awarded the 2022 Programs of Excellence Award Honorable Mention in the Marketing/Public Relations category, which highlights the innovative ways senior centers have reached their communities – marketing campaigns, branding, positioning, and outreach – that has raised the visibility of the center, attracted new participants, or brought in new partners.

Hopkinton’s Repair Fair received recognition for the consistent marketing efforts for the event, including announcements in the Senior Center newsletter, posters in town buildings, posts on the Hopkinton Lions social media platforms, road signs placed throughout the Town, articles in the local free newspaper, and a televised interview on the Senior Center local cable access show, ‘Keep Movin,’ and more. 

“We are thrilled at the success of the Repair Fair over the past year and a half and are very grateful for the recognition by the National Institute of Senior Centers,” said Director of Senior Services Amy Beck. “We look forward to continuing this event moving forward, as it is a great way to bring our community together.”

The Town’s next Repair Fair will likely be held in the spring of 2024.