| During the Great Depression, a Northern Kentucky couple recognized that poor/needy children in their neighborhood were not experiencing the joy of Christmas. Rose and George Steinford, who had no children of their own, purchased and repaired used toys and assumed the role of Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus for many needy children that year. This initiated a life long project for Rose and George, founding a tradition unique to Northern Kentucky.
During the next 50 years, the Steinfords began to collect and repair used toys. They quietly developed a network to secure the names of the needy children and anonymously delivered the toys to the families during the Christmas season.
What started as a neighborhood project soon expanded to cover needs throughout the Northern Kentucky counties of Kenton, Boone and Campbell. Their home and work area grew to resemble your childhood remembrance of Santa's workshop. Throughout the year as toys were repaired and refurbished, Rose and George developed their list and packed the gifts for the needy families while their elves, friends and others, pitched in to handle the distribution of the toys to the families.
Rose passed away in 1973 and it appeared that a tradition and much needed service had passed with her. George's health was failing and before she died she asked that he not continue the project to gain back his strength.
Several Covington-Kenton County Jaycees, who had been involved in the project, convinced George to continue to organize the Christmas project at least one more year. He did, with the success of the project that year and the growing support of his friends, George formed the "Rose & George Steinford Toy Foundation, Inc." (The Steinford Toy Foundation) in 1974 to perpetuate the project and his wish, "that the Christmas spirit will fill a child's heart in time of need."
George died in 1980 but the Foundation continues the tradition and community service through the generosity of the Northern Kentucky community.
Since the formation of the Foundation, volunteers have provided Christmas for nearly 2,200 children each year. We intend to serve as many children as possible, no one is turned away if a need exists. The Foundation has served children outside of Northern Kentucky many times to meet the needs of children in outreaching communities. We are always willing to work with anyone and everyone with a need to have a "Merry Christmas." Christmas is a big part of a child's life and we try to help through our Christmas Program.
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