Former Badgers MBB manager donates $12,000+ worth of presents through Holiday Joy Drive

Not to brag, but Nathan Dupont is kind of a big deal at local stores.

“One trip in, fill up one cart, load it in the car, then fill up another, so the people at Target know me pretty well.”

Every week for three months, Nathan has stocked up on toys to donate to the Greater Milwaukee and Dane County Boys & Girls Clubs through his Holiday Joy Drive. People across Wisconsin chipped in with a present here or some cash there until Nathan had to get a storage unit just to hold more than $12,000 worth of toys.

“it’s inspiring to see how much people have really taken a pride and care in donating and the giving spirit this year.”

The Holiday Joy Drive tripled in size this year. That’s thanks in part to the Wisconsin basketball team. While he was a student manager, Nathan worked closely with the Badgers Give Back program.

“That was something that certainly inspired me to look for ways that I could get involved. Being able to go to trips to the Children's Hospital in Madison to see the ways that little moments and bits of happiness can make a kid's entire day."

The Wisconsin ties still help. Players like Nigel Hayes have not only donated to the Holiday Joy Drive, but spread the word on social media helping it grow exponentially. Scott Grodsky CBS 58 sports.