Gabriola Tool Library Association intends to put a $3,650 grant toward a tool-sharing initiative.
The association received the money from the Coastal Community Credit Union Building Healthier Communities Fund and will use it to provide electricity to, and buy a year’s worth of insurance for, a tool library building, according to a press release.
The tool library will provide Gabriola residents an area to meet and borrow tools, which will keep them out of the landfill and reduce the need for people to own them.
“The Gabriola Tool Library will have the added effect of building community, as members share expertise through workshops, mentorships and very popular fix-it-fairs, where neighbours help their fellow islanders fix common household items for free,” the press release said.
Four hundred tools have been donated thus far.
Patricia Ludwick, a GTLA board member, said the community has been very supportive of the idea and the board is grateful to Coastal Community Credit Union.
Allyson Prescesky, Coastal Community spokeswoman, said that tool libraries are good for increasing community involvement and the credit union is proud to support initiatives that see neighbours sharing resources in order to help the “community thrive.”