Tom Nichols, a former Marine and retired mechanical engineer, loves Dare to Repair, “It’s the coolest thing.” He first heard of the Tool Library through a news story on Channel 4, and came in to check it out. After meeting Darren, he saw a brochure on his way out, and was volunteering at the very next Dare to Repair. That was eighteen months ago and he hasn’t looked back.
Retirement can wear on one, but Dare to Repair keeps his mind working while meeting great people. There’s something nice about a routine lamp fix, but he enjoys the challenges, too. There was one lamp fix that stands out. A man brought in a broken Roy Rogers lamp he was given as a child. Tom had it fixed in 15 minutes and the man was elated he could share that lamp with his grandson.
Tom also communicates in American Sign Language, which is a huge help at Dare to Repair events as well as in his other volunteer work as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with Rescue 1 in Cheektowaga. Tom will see you at the next Dare to Repair!
