URBANDALE, Iowa — Every Tuesday through Friday, commuters are used to seeing a man waving at them at a busy intersection in Urbandale, but now they can learn more about the man behind the wave.

After completing a three-mile walk, Kent Proudfit, stands at the intersection of Meredith Drive and 142nd Street, waving at drivers. The Des Moines native started doing this seven weeks ago, because he wanted to uplift people.

Now, every Tuesday through Friday, he waves to drivers at the busy intersection between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. as they head to school or work.

“I started walking about a month before that, which was good because I needed to get some exercise, and I thought well why not just add a little bit to my walking and add a purpose to my life,” he said.

Proudfit takes his role seriously, and he never wants to miss a commuter.

“I try to get as many people as I can. It’s kind of hard to. My head kind of goes around like a bobble head,” he said.

This morning ritual not only gave Proudfit, who is in his early 70s, a purpose, but it also spread joy to commuters. Some drivers will wait a little longer at the stop signs, roll down their windows to talk to Proudfit, or honk their horns to get his attention.

Twice, people have dropped off homemade cookies for him, and Proudfit has received several cards from kids and community members. He keeps the cards in a fanny pack with him all day, even when he isn’t waving.

“I carry it around to remind me just how much it’s affected people,” Proudfit said.

He said he plans to continue waving even when the temperatures start to get cooler.

“I can dress warm if I’m a little cold that’s alright. I just want to bring joy to people,” he said.

However, Proudfit does want the public to know that he is going on a trip during the month of October, where he and his wife will visit their great-grandchildren in New Jersey and North Carolina. Commuters can expect to see him back at the end of October.