Canadian Living salutes: Art Roth

Even though winters are short here in "Canada South," Art Roth's used ice skates are a hot-ticket item with the local kids.

How it all began
During a garage cleanup 15 years ago, Art discovered several pairs of his children's outgrown ice skates and wanted to pass them on. The next Sunday he packed up the skates, took them to his church, All Saints Anglican, and suggested a skating party for the Sunday Schoolers.

"It was a kind of catalyst," says the retired public servant. "Some kids had their own skates already, but a lot didn't." Those kids jumped at the chance to try them on and try out skating, and the church began hosting regular skating outings. And, prompted by reminders in the church bulletin, parishioners donated even more pairs.

Art began checking out yard sales, too. "You have to keep your eyes open. You never know when a pair will pop up," he says. Stored in boxes in the church, the collection now comprises 40 pairs, and Art's lending system couldn't be simpler: if kids need skates, they borrow them; when they're through with the skates, they bring them back. "We received them freely, so let's give them out freely," Art says. "We rely on the honour system. I bring out the boxes and say ‘Help yourself.'" If someone needs a pair for the season, Art asks the child to return the skates in the spring and get them sharpened, if they can, before they do.

"It's kind of potluck," he says. "We can't guarantee we have something in the size a child might need." Some parents, after seeing how much their children enjoy the borrowed blades, may go on to buy them a pair. "And, who knows," says Art, "those skates may end up in the collection."