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Entrepreneurs of university students present the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital with a donation of $ 1,600

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – A trio of college students is expanding a Hawkeye tradition that normally takes place in the fall, in the winter.

Three college executives presented the Stead Family Children's Hospital at the University of Iowa with a check for more than $ 1,600 on Saturday after their success in selling winter gloves inspired by the "Iowa Wave." (Aaron Scheinblum, KCRG)

On Saturday, the three young entrepreneurs presented a donation to the Stead Family Children's Hospital of the University of Iowa showing their hard work.

For many East Iowaans, the "Iowa Wave" has become synonymous with the "Iowa Nice" mentality that many have become accustomed to.

The special tradition at Kinnick Stadium inspired a 20-year-old Dubuque native and two of his friends to keep the wave warm during the winter months

"I thought it was something that everyone in Iowa could connect to "said Rian Weber, founder of WhyWear Clothing, and a third-year student at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota

When Weber, along with his friends and coworkers, Austin Coats and Travis Warden, the check was given to hospital employees, there was no crowd or applause, it was just the small group, all with smiles on their faces.

"I know that cancer does horrible things to people and their families, "Weber said. "It means a lot that we can at least help a little."

Despite the lack of public, the trio dressed to impress: the three wore suits, with the aim of working to create a new tradition in honor of a nationally recognized.

"There was something in me that wanted to do more than what I was already doing," Weber said. "I thought this would be a great idea, because I'm a big Iowa fan and because Iowa Children's Hospital does it very well."

WhyWear clothing, until recently, sold an item: Iowa-inspired mittens. A portion of their income goes directly to the children's hospital in Iowa City, and the hospital and its employees appreciate the money

"I think it's surprising that people want to do this kind of projects for the children's hospital, "said Molly Rossiter, who works in Marketing and Communications for the University of Iowa Health Care. "Financial donations are always necessary and welcome"

The money donated on Saturday represents only three months of hard work, since the trio only began receiving orders in November 2018.

Considering that the money comes from three university entrepreneurs, Rossiter says it is surprising, but not unexpected.

"[At the hospital] we work with many college students and they never cease to amaze me, the things these children are capable of," said Rossiter.

Weber says he knows that it's likely that they will not sell winter gloves after these colder months, so he and his team plan to return to the drawing board to create more items.

"We will continue to gather our ideas and raise all the money we can because cancer is something that will not go away at this time," Weber said. "If we all do a little bit, we can make a big difference"

For more information about WhyWear clothing and the products offered, visit their website.

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