Cathy Christoff: in the leading role

What a great director is to film, Cathy Christoff is to community. With vision and creative reservoirs of ambition and the ingenuity to get things done, this woman is a trail-blazer and an action-raiser, and leaves many of us in the dust of her spunk and spur.

In the summer of 1996, while perusing the local newspaper, Cathy noticed that the drugstore building in the heart of town was for sale, and ironically in the same paper, read a retrospective by local historian Allan McGillivray about the Babcock brother’s single screen Roxy theatre that had once existed on that site. Stringing together these gems of inspiration, and justifying the synchronicity of such news, Cathy and her husband, Mark, both  movie buffs, heard destiny knocking. Uxbridge would love a hometown theatre, and the Christoff’s were going to make it happen.
To do destiny right takes muscle, and with the four-month renovation that ensued, straining was a family affair, including young daughters: Caitlin and Lauren. The Roxy Theatres of Uxbridge opened that December, featuring first-run movies with state of the art equipment. The lobby brims with movie memorabilia, cameras, star-signed keepsakes, and their personal framed poster collection. Tickets are inexpensive, snacks affordable, and weekly movie features are chosen to please all ages. They were right, Uxbridge did love it.

One pivotal day, Cathy watched a young boy purchasing a ticket with an insufficient handful of coins. Seeing his despair over not being able to afford the movie he’d saved for, Cathy admitted him, and topped him up with popcorn on his way through. It twigged just how hard some kids would work for the chance to go to the movies. “I looked across the way at the convenience store and saw all of the kids just hanging out,” she notes, and that got her to thinking.

Now in its 14th year, ‘The Roxy Kids in Action’ has morphed into a local phenomenon, changing lives – young and old. Cathy orchestrated a system where accrued acts of kindness could be redeemed for free movies (and snacks), and annually, two top performers are treated to lunch and a premiere Toronto screening. The highly successful program is capped at 60 participants, aged eight to 16, who attend biweekly meetings throughout the year. Acts of kindness range from: clearing snow, walking dogs, helping at hospital fundraisers and community events, to raking leaves - and more. Cathy is often contacted directly by those in need of youthful assistance, and does her best to oblige by sending a pair of willing kids to help eligible candidates. The kids too, are resourceful at finding needs to fulfil.

Cathy cites part of her personal payoff, “For me, heartstring moments are when I see a youth feel good about themself by helping someone else.” She reflects on their reactions when specially made Easter baskets are gratefully received at local seniors’ residences; and how pumped and proud they are after parading their Roxy Kid’s Christmas float through the cheering crowd each year. “I think one of the most special moments for me was to attend the wedding of one of our [fledged] Roxy Kids and see how she has now found her own way to continue giving back to her community. That really says something.”

Through her own example of selfless giving, Cathy has inspired other parents to engage in acts of volunteerism. She has seen the gap between parent and child be bridged through collaborative projects, and barriers eroded between the kids themselves, as they all work together. “There is unity through the responsibility of volunteering,” Cathy explains. In addition, they learn team-building, disperse information via their own phone chain, practice respect, promote and vote on local recipients of their charitable efforts, grow self-esteem, overcome personal issues, and so much more.

Cathy’s penchant for helping kids, in part, is driven by her own challenged youth that sensitized her to recognize when basic needs are left unmet. For instance, upon reading discriminating articles about youth vandalism, Cathy reasoned there were inadequate opportunities for kids to express themselves. Rolling into action, together with the Uxbridge Youth Centre (for which she is Chair), they arranged for a Toronto graffiti artist to conduct a workshop. Using funds generated from the annual Short Film Festival (another wonderful Roxy event held each fall), they sponsored a Youth Graffiti Competition. Eight finalists were selected and the finished over-sized panels were installed on the rear walls of the Roxy, exposed to foot and vehicular traffic. “When the panels were going up we’d hear comments from people walking by; things like ‘cool’ and ‘neat,’ mostly from kids, but what was awesome was hearing an older woman utter ‘isn’t that beautiful,’ and that confirmed how this was really something for everyone – to unite all ages. And in this way, the graffiti instead, becomes a positive art form.”
Her roster of community involvement is as impressive as it is diverse. Having served 12 years on the Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Board, including Director and Chair roles, and having raised and donated over $50,000 to them through the Roxy’s annual Movies, Martinis, and Manicures extravaganza, Cathy is grateful to give back to a facility that has saved hers and her father’s life more than once.

Cathy and Mark founded an annual variety show: Uxperience, now approaching its 20th season, which has since donated over $100,000 for numerous local charities. Cathy, herself, has a history in local theatre, both on and off stage, and will be directing an OnStage Uxbridge presentation of Samuel French’s ‘Noises Off’ this fall.

A leading lady in any role, Cathy Christoff continues to be a star in her community. Let her inspire you by example. Volunteer somewhere. Perform a selfless act of kindness. Believe in the power of your actions to make change. And then celebrate your efforts by catching a flick at The Roxy. 

Roxy Theatres of Uxbridge
46 Brock Street West
Uxbridge, Ontario
(905) 852-7699
www.roxytheatres.com