Community❯Volunteering

Join us at The East County Library in Room 2H/J to get your broken items fixed by community volunteers for free. Plus, "shop" for gently used clothing at our free clothing swap. Underground parking is available at the library and overflow parking is available at the City Hall parking lot across the MAX tracks. This event is hosted by the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations, Gresham Free Swaps and the City of Gresham.

Check-in is from 10:00 am-noon. Checked-in items will be repaired until 1:00 pm.

• Torn clothing, missing buttons and other fabric items – including sock and sweater mending.
• Broken lamps, fans, clocks, vacuums, small kitchen appliances.
• Broken jewelry clasps, earring hooks. No fine jewelry.
• Manual garden tool sharpening: pruning shears, loppers, shovels and spades. No handsaws, knives or power tools.
• Electronics repairs and computer cleaning and tune-ups. These categories generally take longer, and may be limited to one item per person.

Please note: bikes, televisions, microwaves, small engines and fine jewelry are not repairable at this event.

• Try to bring anything that may be needed to repair your item: parts, buttons, matching thread, power cords, batteries, instructions manuals, etc. 
• We try to help everyone who brings an item. If participants bring multiple items (allowed), we can only work on one item at a time and may be able to fix up to one item per person.  
• Our volunteers will do their best to repair your item, but some repairs may be too complicated or require resources unavailable at the event. 
• There may be a wait, depending on the number of repairs.

Coats and winter wear in good condition is this event's featured swap item. "Shop" for previously loved clothes and bring some to share with others.

• Find original styles not in stores.
• Extend the lifespan of clothes already in circulation.
• Be environmentally friendly and economical by wearing secondhand items.
• Clothing donation or Repair Cafe participation isn't required to participate in the swap. Please bring your own bag. Master recyclers will be available to answer questions about reuse and waste prevention.

Follow Gresham Free Swaps and Gresham Repair Cafe on Facebook for future events.

For more information, contact us at [email protected]  or 503-618-2525.

Please join the city in planting a downtown pollinator garden! We will install native plants from a Xerces Society Habitat Kit at the corner of SE 21st Avenue and Washington Street. Volunteers will chip in alongside city staff, who will demonstrate proper technique and safety before planting begins.

No gardening experience necessary. The city will supply all equipment including gloves, tools, and water. Please consider using alternative transportation and bring a reusable water bottle.

Space is limited. Families are encouraged to attend. The city asks volunteers to register by Wednesday, Nov. 4, using this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/jNwmySB85f