Washington Fareway raises money for Children’s Hospital

In a contest to sell $1 pinned up tokens for charity to Fareway shoppers, the company’s Washington store has pulled together $2,489, more than any other Fareway store in the state.

“Of our 120 stores, we sold the most hands,” said Dave Waite, grocery manager of the Washington store. “We had these hands and we put them up on the windows, and people just got excited about it. I think it’s close to Iowa City … but I just have a great crew and our customers were very generous and wanted to help out.”

The fundraiser was coordinated by Iowa Wave Shirt, a charity group benefiting the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, named after the new tradition of waving at the building adjacent to Kinnick Stadium during Hawkey Football games.

“We really just came to say thank you guys,” Iowa Wave Shirt Co-founder Meighan Phillips said. “$2,400 is a lot of hands, and we know that literally everything has been asked of you guys over the course of the last two years … it matters so much, you’re making a huge difference at the hospital and we’re just really proud to partner with you guys.”

Children’s Hospital Senior Director of Development Kari Nickol said the group’s efforts were appreciated, with Fareway stores across the state raising $68,970 in total.

“The Wave has really highlighted the sense of community and I think everything that you have done and all of the community partners that are supporting the Iowa Wave were just really blown away by all you’re doing to help support our young patients,” Nickol said.

Employees credited the store’s success to the community itself.

"It’s the community, we can’t put it on ourselves,“ Assistant Manager Josh Althoff said. ”We’re just here as the in-between person. It’s a great opportunity, we’re just telling them about it.“

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com