COVINGTON, Ky. — Not all of Santa's helpers live in the North Pole. The Steinford Toy Foundation in Northern Kentucky rounded up volunteers Dec. 16 to hand-deliver toys for Northern Kentucky children this holiday season. 

What You Need To Know

  • During the Great Depression, Rose and George Steinford repaired and distributed toys to Northern Kentucky children in need 

  • The 100% volunteer-operated organization has been running for 43 years 

  • Molly Gubser has volunteered with Steinford Toy Foundation for 13 years 

  • This year, the foundation recieved nearly 4,000 names of families in need 

For volunteer Molly Gubser, delivering toys is a family tradition, having done so for 13 years. She added a long-time friend's family started the tradition nearly 30 years ago and now makes deliveries every year. 

Each year, the Foundation knows what families to help based on referrals made by community members. 

“The first year we started, I think there was about 1,200 names submitted, and I think this year was around 4,000,” Gubser said.

During the Great Depression, Rose and George Steinford took on the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus, repairing and distributing toys to children. Rose died from cancer in 1973, and George felt he could not continue the mission. But with the help of friends, he could deliver toys, and the foundation was born. 

“Some of these children, like I said, are less fortunate and don't have any Christmas without this delivery," Gubser said. "Seeing people be thankful and understanding is the best part of this job.”

Like Gubser, foundation secretary Vicki Bitter has a long history with the foundation and shares none of it would be possible if people didn’t come out and help.

“We are 100% volunteer … our board and everybody who puts their time in is giving," Bitter said. "They are not receiving anything in return. If you give us your dollars, [they're] going some place where it's going to be used for those kids.”

Gubser said helping others is the most rewarding gift of all.

“Give an hour or two, go down to the warehouse in Covington, pick up five or ten boxes, and I think you would really enjoy seeing the cheer in people's faces when you deliver toys for their children for Christmas," Gubser said. 

Thanks to volunteers such as Gubser, the Steinford Toy Foundation can remain the gift that keeps on giving. 

Bitter shared the toys are purchased using funds from the foundation's annual Steinford Toy Charity ball, a golf outing and community donations. The organization provides gifts to anyone 17 or younger.  

Related Stories