Posted by: Rebekka Wallace Roy and Carson Tharris
Winter is just around the corner, my friends. And for those of us holding on to autumn with all the strength we can muster, cleaning out sheds and emptying basements under a canopy of red, orange, and yellow leaves might be the gentle transition we need. That – and knowing we’re all in this together. Because this little neighbourhood of ours truly loves to celebrate: the sound of skis swishing and boots crunching on fresh snow, the colourful twinkle lights on our streets, and the ultimate community tradition of all – our beloved Hopewell PS Ski & Skate Sale.
We do love these sales. It’s not just about raising money for Hopewell PS (though that matters – those funds support parent wellness initiatives, sports programs, extracurriculars for our kids, and more). For us, it’s about building community. Parents working side by side in the yard or at the sale, our local Starbucks keeping everyone caffeinated, inspired bakers feeding the masses… This event sustains what makes our community special: engagement, joy, generosity, and togetherness.
But here’s the thing – beyond the feel-good moments and pride, the Ski & Skate Sale serves a very practical purpose. Outfitting kids for winter is expensive, and we all know how quickly they outgrow skis, skates, and helmets. Then there’s the storage challenge – most of us don’t exactly have garages bursting with extra space for bulky equipment.
For the past 13 years, these sales have helped us restock our own families’ outdoor adventures. From cross-country skis to downhill boots, most of what our kids use has been passed down through this amazing community. That little bit of “new-to-us” magic keeps their winters fun, safe, and affordable. And it’s not just skis and skates – bikes, strollers, helmets, outdoor clothing and more move through the sale, creating a sustainable cycle that benefits everyone while lightening our environmental footprint.
If you’re looking to refresh your winter gear (or clear out some of your old stuff), here’s what you need to know:
- The Hopewell PS Ski & Skate Sale is Sunday, October 19, 9:30 am – noon.
- Drop-off for gently used gear on Saturday, October 18, 1–5 pm in the parking garage on Hopewell Ave.
All (gently used/new) winter gear is welcome: skis, skates, helmets, sleds, boots, clothing, toques/mitts, snowboards, snowshoes, poles, winter strollers – everything that makes winter more manageable and fun!
And of course, we’re always looking for volunteers! Whether you can spread the word, lend a hand with clean-up and mulching, or contribute baked goods to fuel our hardworking crew, we’d love your help. Have ideas to make this year’s event even better? Reach out at hopewellsales@gmail.com to share your thoughts or sign up.
Let’s make this year the best one yet. I can’t wait to see you all there!
Rebekka Wallace Roy and Carson Tharris are the Hopewell PS Community Sales Co-Coordinators.
Featured in the October 2025 OSCAR.