Cottonwood Custom Tees & Designs

05/06/2026

We love our recent decor update🥰

Our monthly Wave To the Brave recipient now has their own showcase!

When you pop in for a coffee at Thirsty Goat or come by to browse our showroom, be sure to read about the Brave and Amazing kids and families we support monthly through our Wave To the Brave initiative.

We will be updating a running total for apparel items shortly.

We are so proud that our communities have helped us support a new family every month since starting in October 2024.

Since then, we have printed over SIX THOUSAND items.

Your orders have helped us fund thousands and thousands of dollars to help these family navigate their child’s health journey, as well as places like Stead Family Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald Charities.

If you have a child you’d like to nominate, please message us!

05/03/2026

05/03/2026

Our May’s Wave to the Brave, is 13 year-old Lena Rubner of Dyersville.

She is the daughter of Eric and Nicole and sister to Myia.

In October 2024, Lena was diagnosed with epilepsy, and began a year of ongoing medical evaluations, medications, and multiple admissions to the Children’s Hospital.

As her care team monitored her seizures through EEG testing, they identified two distinct types: epileptic seizures and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) seizures.

FND is a neurological condition that many people are unfamiliar with.

FND seizures are *real, involuntary episodes* that may involve shaking, changes in awareness, or unusual movements.
Although they resemble epileptic seizures, they are caused by a temporary disruption in the brain’s communication pathways—not abnormal electrical activity. This distinction is important, as FND seizures are often misunderstood despite being medically recognized and impactful.

By learning about Epilepsy, FND, and by supporting Lena’s journey, you are helping raise awareness for conditions that affect many children but are not widely discussed. Increased understanding leads to better support, better care, and better outcomes for families navigating these challenges.

Lena has chosen to dedicate all proceeds from this fundraiser to the Children’s Hospital to promote seizure safety education and to support ongoing care for children experiencing Epilepsy and FND.

Lena and her family are committed to increase public understanding, spreading awareness about FND and wanted to share these important details about Seizure First Aid.

*IF YOU WITNESS SOMEONE HAVING A SEIZURE*

• Stay calm and remain with the person
• Move objects away and protect their head
• Gently roll them onto their side
• Time the seizure

*DO NOT*
• Put anything in their mouth
• Hold them down or restrict movement
• Offer food or drink until they are fully awake

This month's apparel also includes an additional T-shirt, designed by Lena's Big Sis, Myia

Store will remain open until 5/31. All orders will begin production once store closes.

Link to order:
https://www.cottonwoodcustomtees.com/shop/wave-to-the-brave-may-2026-lena-rubner/56DEYAATL44I3HIPAKJVRJKN?page=1&limit=30&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc&location_id=LAXFW73QPJVWB

Thank you for waving for Lena!

04/24/2026

Proof that we print on all sizes! Let us know what we can custom print for you!

04/08/2026

Our April Wave to the Brave recipient is 3‑year‑old Brandon Benda of Monona — a bright, sweet little boy whose world changed in an instant. He is the beloved son of Courtney Benda and the proud little brother of Naveah and Novah.

In late November, Brandon developed a persistent croupy cough and swollen lymph nodes on both sides of his neck. Courtney trusted her instincts and continued pushing for answers.

After a week of appointments, labs were ordered — and the results were staggering. Brandon’s white blood cell count was 990,000, when a typical range is 5,000–15,000.

Courtney’s heart sank, but doctors urged further testing, including a CT scan, to understand what was happening.

On December 2nd, while Courtney was at work, the call came that no parent is ever prepared for.

Brandon was diagnosed with T‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Courtney shared: “After receiving the diagnosis, I chose the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital due to its excellent team of doctors and nurses, as well as its research program, which Brandon qualified for given his exceptionally high white blood cell count. Brandon's care team has are fantastic, and we are grateful for their support. Brandon has two older sisters who adore him, and as a single parent, I am doing my best to navigate this challenging time while caring for my family. We kindly request support, prayers, and donations as we embark on this journey. It has been very rough so far for Brandon, with lots of admissions to the hospital resulting in long stays in Iowa City.”

Proceeds from this month’s Wave to the Brave will be given to the Benda family to use as they wish.

Orders will be accepted through April 30th, and orders will then begin production.

Link to order:

https://www.cottonwoodcustomtees.com/shop/wave-to-the-brave-april-2026-brandon-benda/URYOXY6VEFMLT76OKVKAXPUM?page=1&limit=30&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc&fbclid=IwRlRTSARDTWVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeIAWHmIkK8TQKamdu-seqa8hAVACDHxtvJQ2Ad1Vlk_ewM5ckDUt67oqDiuA_aem_ifRea6svpt_K225wN8Y-Pg

Thank you for joining us and Waving for Brandon!

03/30/2026

It’s almost that time of year where the weather outside is warm, and the office AC is on full blast.

Check out these sale items that include cute sweaters that will keep you comfortable at work!

03/27/2026

See you tomorrow for a Saturday Morning Sweater Sale❤️

03/26/2026

Happy Opening Day 2026!!!!

03/23/2026

Our brackets might be busted, but Iowa’s spirit is alive and kicking!

The Hawkeyes and Cyclones are BOTH in the Sweet 16 — it’s the ultimate March Madness for the entire state!

Whether you're cheering for black and gold or cardinal and gold, we’re all riding this wave together.

Iowa pride never looked so good.

Let’s keep this madness rolling!

03/21/2026

Dresses, rompers, and matching sets, Oh My!

Stop in and update your warm weather wardrobe!

We are open until 2 today.

See you soon!

03/21/2026

Spring has sprung!

We just put out some great springtime sets, including this Butter Yellow and brown polka dot sweatshirt and shorts set.

$55

Available sizes-
Small (3)
Large (1)

Claim one by commenting your size and email and we will send you an invoice.

We are open til 2 today!