Huge Success for the Rotary Club of Florence 2020 Steinford Toy Foundation Toy Drive
Written By: Bryn Daley – Ignite Institute Intern for Stinger Media
Florence, Kentucky – January 7th, 2021 – For many years, the Rotary Club of Florence has been assisting the Steinford Toy Foundation in their Northern Kentucky Toy Drive. It is an event that is greatly anticipated by members of the club, who enjoy participating every year.
During the Great Depression, Rose and George Steinford of Northern Kentucky noticed that families were struggling to provide their children with gifts for Christmas. The couple, who didn’t have any children of their own, decided to try their best to get families the gifts that they needed to provide their children the joyful Christmas that they deserved. The couple continued this tradition, and the Steinford Toy Foundation was officially founded in 1973. Since then, an annual Toy Drive has been held in the Northern Kentucky area, with the success continuing to grow each year.
The 2020 Toy Drive was one of the most successful yet. “This was probably one of our best years of collecting. It was great to see, amidst all of the challenges of the pandemic,” said Woody Muller of Mueller Financial.
The drive ended on December 7th, with toy packaging beginning on the 12th. Volunteers provided their services over a four-day period, allowing toys to be delivered to the children on December 19th and 20th, just in time for Christmas. Rotary Club Steinford Toy Foundation Chairman, Roger Babik of Master Provisions, states that “Over 30 business locations collected toys to meet our goal to bless 3,500 children in Northern Kentucky with a gift before Christmas.”
Many businesses that have participated in the Toy Drive in years past donated more toys this year than ever before. “Bestway Disposal led the way by filling up a large SUV to the brim two times with hundreds and hundreds of new items!” Babik says.
In a year like 2020, it was important to provide children with the most joyous Christmas possible. The Rotary Club of Florence and the Steinford Toy Foundation would like to thank the following businesses for their contributions.
To learn more about Steinford Toy Foundation and their mission, visit their website, www.steinfordtoyfoundation.org or their Facebook page.
The Rotary Club of Florence, Kentucky (serving all of Boone County) is a community service organization focusing on “service above self”. The club meets weekly on Mondays via Zoom during COVID. Guests are always welcome. To learn more about upcoming speakers and events, please visit the club’s website at www.florencerotary.org or follow their Facebook page.
#FloRo #ServiceAboveSelf #PeopleofAction #RotaryOpensOpportunities #ToyDrive #SteinfordToys #HolidayCheer #SpreadingJoy #Holidays2020
