Fans can come up with several reasons for why it’s good to eat dessert first. But the Dairy Queen system has come up with the best reason yet.
On Thursday, July 27, for that day only, the Dairy Queen system is encouraging fans to Eat Dessert First during the 12th Annual Miracle Treat Day, when $1 or more from every Blizzard Treat sold at participating DQ Grill & Chill and Dairy Queen locations throughout the U.S. will be donated to local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH).
Annually at CMNH one in 10 children is treated and 32 million treatments are provided. Funds raised during Miracle Treat Day fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care to help save and improve the lives of those children. While CMNH raises funds and awareness for more than 170 children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada, all funds raised during Miracle Treat Day stay in local communities.
“When you visit a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, you are inspired by how brave the children and their families are,” said Barry Westrum, executive vice president of marketing for American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ). “Then you see how passionate the doctors and nurses are and you realize what a significant impact the dollars we raise can have on so many lives. We have two great moms this year, Hoda Kotb and Tia Mowry, who are joining us in supporting Miracle Treat Day.”
New mom and co-anchor of the fourth hour of Today, Hoda Kotb is the honorary chair of Miracle Treat Day. Kotb has ties to CMNH. She lifted the spirits of children with cancer and raised money for pediatric cancer as part of Today’s Shine a Light series a few years ago that included the shooting of a music video with pediatric patients at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, part of the CMNH network.
Also this year, Tia Mowry, actress, cookbook author and mom, will deliver Blizzard Treats and visit with patients and their families at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in advance of the DQ Miracle Treat Day.
“July is a special month for the Dairy Queen system. It’s National Ice Cream Month and we are celebrating by giving back to our local communities in a big way with Miracle Treat Day,” said Westrum. “We thank Hoda and Tia for their support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and can’t wait to raise money on Miracle Treat Day.”
Last year, DQ operators across the U.S. and Canada raised more than $4 million on Miracle Treat Day for their local CMN Hospitals. Since 1984, the Dairy Queen system has raised more than $125 million for the charity through fundraising efforts including Miracle Treat Day, the Miracle Balloon campaign and other local initiatives.
The featured Miracle Treat Day Blizzard Treat of the Day is Oreo, the most popular Blizzard Treat to date. All other Blizzard flavors are also available that day.
For more information about Miracle Treat Day, visit MiracleTreatDay.com and connect on Twitter using #MiracleTreatDay.
For more information about the Dairy Queen system, visit DairyQueen.com.
