Miracle Treat Day is an American fundraising event for the Children's Miracle Network and is sponsored by Dairy Queen. The event is held annually, in August, and at least $1 of all proceeds from each The Blizzard Treat sold at participating locations that day goes towards benefiting local community children's hospitals.
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Purpose
The purpose of this event is to raise funds for the 170+ Children's Miracle Network hospital's worldwide. Each year these hospitals treat about 17 million children and they impact the lives of more children than any other children's organization in the world.
History
Dairy Queen has been a supporter of Children’s Miracle Network since 1984. The first-ever Miracle Treat Day was on August 10, 2006 and has been held annually ever since. It is a tradition on the day of the event for the President and CEO of Dairy Queen, John Gainor, to personally deliver hundreds of Blizzard Treats to children and their families at local hospitals.
Spokespersons
In 2006, Grammy-Winning Superstar LeAnn Rimes served as the honorary spokesperson for Dairy Queen's first-ever Miracle Treat Day. LeAnn has also performed many benefit concerts in support of the Children's Miracle Network.
In 2007, Miss America Lauren Nelson served as the honorary spokesperson for Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day. "With my love for children, I am proud to be spokesperson for Miracle Treat Day, as I know this event will do so much to help children all over North America," said Nelson.
In 2008, Miss America Kirsten Haglund served as the honorary spokesperson for Dairy Queen's Miracle Treat Day. Miss America titleholders have been involved with Children's Miracle Network, visiting hospitals and helping with fundraising activities since 1989.
In 2009, Miss America Katie Stam served as the honorary spokesperson for Dairy Queen's Miracle Treat Day. She served Blizzard Treats at a local Dairy Queen for the event and she also promoted the day by conducting several TV and radio interviews.
Success
Dairy Queen marked 30 years in support of the Children's Miracle Network in 2014. In that time, Dairy Queen has helped raise more than $100 million. The biggest fundraising event that Dairy Queen holds for the cause is the Miracle Treat Day. Each year the event makes millions of dollars, and the goal is for the amount to continue to grow.
A Dairy Queen franchise in Madison, South Dakota, owned by DeLon Mork, has sold the most Blizzards of any Dairy Queen in North America on Miracle Treat Day for four consecutive years. Dairy Queen in Madison, SD has increased the number of blizzards sold every year starting in 2006. 2006: 3,083 2007: 7,011 2008: 12,347 2009: 18,017 2010: 21,405 2011: 25,648 2012: 31,351 2013: 38,412 2014: 47,638 In 2009, DeLon Mork, the owner, and his team sold about 18,000 Blizzards in a small town with a population of about 6,000 people.