Sometimes things break.

Whether it is an accident, misuse, or even just regular wear and tear, things just tend to fall apart over time. Cables fray, nuts and bolts loosen, gunk builds up, stitches come undone, it's inevitable. It's also the exact reason that Comox Strathcona Waste Management partnered with the Lake Trail Community Education Society to put their annual Repair Cafe event, now in it's third year.

The idea is that people can bring in some of their things that are broken and volunteers from the community will do whatever it takes to get the broken things back in working order. But it is also to show that there are people within the community who are able to make the repairs to the vast majority of broken things.

"The neat thing about the repair cafe is that you're not just handing your item off to someone," said Anna Rambow, Executive Director of LTCES. "It's actually a neighbour or someone in your community that is going to sit down with you and go through the process of fixing it so you can see how it's done."

Another benefit to the event is that the broken items do not end up in the landfill. Rambow said that many people who attend get a sense of empowerment, and often learn to fix more of their own things at home.

"It lets them take that first step, and they feel that they can learn to fix things at home, and think about how much (stuff) they need," she said. " 'Do I need to actually go buy another item or can I actually take something that can still be used and hold on to it?'

"For some people, there's an emotional connection ... they're really attached to something," she added. "Then there's electronics, and often if an electronic (device) stops working, then you have a barrier to go and pay someone to fix it. This sort of gives you that ownership, and it's something great."

This year, there will also be a small clothing re-store, and a tinker station for kids.

"Seeing kids come in with toys that are broken and then having them magically fixed before their eyes is just so wonderful," Rambow said. "At the tinker station ... people get to come in and disassemble items and kind of tinker with them."

Sometimes things break, but according to Rambow, at the Repair Cafe that can include a smile or two.

"My favourite part is just seeing the joy on people's faces," she added.

The Repair Cafe will be at Lake Trail Community School and it will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.