George Roy must be recognized for his generosity and advocacy for children.

Roy, who lives in Auburn, has for several years given the kids of his hometown a great gift. Roy pays for ice time at Ingersoll Arena in Pettengill Park so young kids in Auburn can skate for free. This year, the free skating is being offered during schools’ winter break, which is next week.

Roy has rented the ice from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for students in kindergarten through third grade and from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. for kids in fourth through sixth grade. He even purchased at least 20 pairs of skates and donated them to the arena for kids who don’t have their own to use.

“There is nothing that gives Mr. Roy more pleasure than seeing kids taking advantage of this free skating time,” Jan Biron, who works for the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, wrote to the Sun Journal. “He has invested his time, his money and his huge heart into this undertaking. … I just thought everyone should know.”

We agree. Everyone should know.