History of the
Rose & George Steinford Toy Foundation
The year is 1932 and the
nation is in the grips of the Great Depression.
This depression had devastating effects on the country. The stock market
was in shambles. Many banks couldn't continue to operate. Farmers fell into
bankruptcy. More than 13 million people, a quarter of the workforce, were
unemployed, and this was only the beginning. Many people bartered and traded
for food, clothes, shelter and services. Sharing and "making do" became
a way of life.
It
was at this time that a Northern Kentucky couple recognized that, with all of the economic hardship families were facing,
many children in their neighborhood would not experience the joy of
Christmas. Rose and George Steinford,
who had no children of their own, began to purchase and repair used toys and
assumed the role of Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus for the neighborhood
children. This initiated a life long
work for Rose and George, who in the spirit of sharing founded a tradition
unique to Northern Kentucky.
The Great Depression ended
but still many families, less fortunate than themselves, did not have the
where-with-all to make Christmas for their children. They continued their loving effort and during
the next 42 years, the Steinfords’ home and garage grew to resemble our
childhood remembrance of Santa's workshop.
They quietly developed a network, securing the names of needy children
and anonymously delivering the toys to the families during the Christmas
season.
Throughout
the year as toys were repaired and refurbished, Rose and George developed their
list and packed the gifts for the needy families while the elves, their friends
and others whom they had helped in the past, pitched in to handle the
distribution of the toys to the families.
In
the early 1970’s tragedy struck. Rose
was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo surgery to attempt to eradicate
the disease. She and George continued
their effort that year and toys were delivered by the elves. Rose, though, passed away three days before
Christmas in 1973 and it appeared that a tradition and much needed service were
passing with her. George's health was
failing and before she died she asked that he not continue the effort in order
to gain back his health.
George
had given his word to Rose and would not continue the project the next
year. At that time several Covington-Kenton
County Jaycees, who had been involved in previous Christmas projects, convinced
George to continue to organize the effort at least one more year. He agreed to help develop the lists and to
permit them to use his workshop and other resources but did not feel that the
effort could be continued beyond that year.
The success of the project that year and the growing support of his
friends convinced George that the effort might continue. He then formed the "Rose & George
Steinford Toy Association, Inc." (The Foundation) to perpetuate the effort
and their belief, "that the Christmas spirit will fill a child's heart in
time of need." George proudly
watched The Foundation continue his and Rose’s work of love for five more
years. He died in July of 1980.
Our
all-volunteer foundation continues this tradition and service through
the generosity of the Northern Kentucky community. We believe, as George and Rose did, that “if your
generosity touches one child whose generosity later touches another then it’s
all worthwhile.” An annual golf outing in Summer and the Toy Event charity ball at the beginning of the holiday season continue to be our major fundraisers. Toy drives collecting toys from the employees and customers of local businesses do a tremendous amount to supplement those we are able
to buy with our budget. The rest of our funds are received from individual
contributors in the greater Cincinnati area.
During
the Christmas season of 2018, we provided Christmas presents for more than 3700
needy children in Northern Kentucky. We are a non-profit organization
and all contributions are tax deductible.