COVINGTON, Ky. — The holidays are a joyous time for many, but they can also be very stressful. For someone who has a kid in the hospital battling illness, presents might fall down their list of priorities.
A Cincinnati Bengals player is partnering with an iconic Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky food chain to make sure none of those kids go without a gift this holiday season.
For a lot of people in the region, Gold Star’s chili is comfort food. It’s something they might eat while watching the Bengals play on Sundays.
So it makes sense to Stephany Companiello that those two forces would combine to give the most exposure possible to an important cause.
“I think that it’ll be good for all the kids, especially the ones who don’t have stuff for Christmas, and won’t be able to get toys,” said Companiello, a Gold Star employee.
Bengals tight end Drew Sample started the toy drive to bring some holiday cheer to kids at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Gold Star locations in Alexandria, Western Hills and Covington are collecting toys from now until Dec. 14 for hospitalized kids who are unable to spend the holidays at home.
“Our annual toy drive is something we as a family look forward to doing every single year. Both of our daughters have come to Cincinnati Children’s for various reasons throughout the years and we are so grateful to have a world-renowned children’s hospital in our city,” said Sample. “We hope to spread holiday cheer by providing toys, beauty products, gift cards, electronics, and so much more for the families at Cincinnati Children’s so that they can feel how much our community supports them during this season. There is truly no greater joy than getting to meet these incredible families and spend a few minutes with each one to tell them how much we care for them. Happy Holiday from our family to yours!”
The goal is to fill an entire school bus. Covington Gold Star owner Rob Maher said giving back is one of the reasons he got into food service.
“There are so many kids who are at Cincinnati Children’s away from their family, away from their extended family during the holidays, so we want to do what we can to spread some holiday cheer,” Maher said.
It’s also personal for the company’s CEO.
“I have a very personal tie to Cincinnati Children’s,” said Roger David, CEO of Gold Star. “I had a sibling who spent a great deal of time receiving care at Cincinnati Children’s and as the oldest child, I understand the toll that takes on families. I recognize how hard it is to be away from home and family during the holidays due to illness. This is why I am personally so proud to partner with Drew and his family to bring a small piece of joy to those who need it the most this holiday season.”
Sample plans to take the donated toys to Cincinnati Children’s on Dec. 18. Companiello said she’s excited to see the joy they’ll be able to spread.
“I think it’s something different that Cincinnati really needs, and I think it’s cool that they’re doing it for Cincinnati,” she said.
As an added perk, people who donate are qualified to enter a Christmas giveaway to win football tickets and autographed memorabilia, among other prizes.
Financial contributions can also be made online. Sample and his wife have been doing this the past two years, working with Cincinnati Children’s, the Children’s Miracle Network and now Gold Star.