Scott for Tots making Christmas possible for hundreds of Clinton, Iowa families

The community of Clinton, Iowa are bringing out their best this holiday season.

The last month and a half have been about making Christmas come true for hundreds of area kids.

This is the first year of Scott for Tots. 

Scott Stubblefield organized the toy drive after the community’s Toy for Tots effort this year folded.

Now, hundreds of family won’t have to worry about the idea of canceling Christmas. Thousands of toys are now on their way to Santa’s Workshop at the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to be wrapped and delivered.

Stubblefield told Local Four News when people first approached him with the idea of organized a toy drive he was hesitant, saying he’s never done anything like this.

But knowing what it would mean for the kids, that had him reaching out to the RSVP to help with their Christmas giving service Holiday Network.

Stubblefield’s colleague Jennifer Austin said, “That’s a lot of toys.”

Customers at Billion Auto in Clinton might feel like they’re walking into the aisles of a toy store.

Scott for Tots organizer Scott Stubblefield said, “It’s all about the kids.”

Rather than a car dealership.

Austin said, “Fill just about every car in the showroom as well as the showroom itself.”

It’s making Christmas gifts possible when hard times leave joy challenging to find.
And Scott Stubblefield has quickly lost count of all the delight for kids overflowing in his workplace.

Scott Stubblefield said, “Don’t have a clue. We’ve got 11 boxes full here, and I’ve still got others at drop locations.”

Not to mention, 60 big wheels, dozens of bike and art supplies plus one big teddy bear.

Stubblefield said, “Don’t want to see any kid wake up Christmas morning with no toys. You know, Christmas isn’t about the adults. It’s all about the kids, and we’re going to make a big difference in a lot of kids’ lives this year.”

It’s after the appealed for a Santa to fulfill the wish lists when the community’s Toys for Tots didn’t organize this year. 

Stubblefield “I’m just giving people an opportunity to find a place to put them but Clinton County has done this. I mean, they’ve come out in huge, huge numbers. A lot of businesses have helped us out.”

After weeks of work by Stubblefield and colleagues like Jennifer Austin, the end is in sight.

Austin said, “We had a couple of people come in, said that the only reason they had toys as a child was because of programs like this.”

And, it’s now time to say goodbye.

Austin said, “This is it. They’re really leaving.”

As the sleigh is loaded up to get these gifts under the trees around town to light up Christmas, the bow on top of this present said Stubblefield is one with no price tag, just the true generosity of the season.

Stubblefield said, “To see the community pull together and work together like we should.”

It wasn’t just toys. Stubblefield and Austin told Local Four News they’ve had people write out checks for thousands of dollars, servers from restaurants have donated their tips and kids drop by with their piggy banks.

RSVP will spend the next few days sorting all the toys for the more than 370 they’re helping this year.

Stubblefield told Local Four News without the toy drive, they wouldn’t be able to make the wishes of so many kids come true.

Even though 15 days remain till Christmas, Stubblefield said he’s already planning to continue Scott for Tots next year.