Meteorologists may not be able to see it on the radar, but there’s a blizzard a-coming to Western Wake.
Get ready for the chill, as Triangle Dairy Queen celebrates its 11th annual Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 28, donating proceeds from its Blizzard sales to help sick children.
“Triangle Dairy Queen loves kids, and that’s why we have partnered with Duke Children’s Hospital for more than a decade,” said 2016 Cary Magazine Mover & Shaker Andrew Valkanoff, pictured below right, who is owner and operator of Mad Treats Inc., Triangle Dairy Queen’s parent company.
“During the past 10 years we have raised more than $120,000 for the cause. This year we challenge our guests to join us on Miracle Treat Day and personally become a part of our mission to help these children.”
Nationwide, this annual fundraiser raises money to support more than 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across North America.
Locally, proceeds from Blizzard purchases at Triangle Dairy Queen locations on July 28 will be donated to Duke Children’s Hospital, where they will be used for research, care and support programs for children and their families.
Also that day, guests are invited to meet local “Miracle Kids” at each Triangle Dairy Queen location, children who have received assistance through Children’s Miracle Network.
Other festivities include family-friendly activities such as face painting and balloon art, and a car show at the New Bern Avenue Dairy Queen location.
Balloons, too
“We are fortunate that we live in a community with businesses like Dairy Queen,” said Britt Thomas, mother of Duke Children’s patient Cooper Thomas. “Duke Children’s Hospital is a fantastic facility, but without the support of people like Andy and the customers of Dairy Queen, there would not be as many miracles like Cooper.
“The funding is critical to make sure that the research and technology remain cutting edge. Asking the customers at Dairy Queen to give back to help other kids is a small way that really adds up.”
To jump-start fundraising efforts, Triangle Dairy Queen is selling Miracle Treat Balloons at each of its locations for $1. The balloons feature $2 worth of Dairy Queen coupons, and proceeds from the balloons will also be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network.
“We always want our patients to focus on just being kids while we focus on getting them better,” said Kelly Partner, assistant director of special programs, Duke Children’s. “Their faces light up when they hear ‘ice cream.’
“We are fortunate to have a local Dairy Queen franchise that not only raises money for us, but also donates ice cream for all of our patients who can’t leave the hospital to participate in Miracle Treat Day at their local DQ.”
Participating Triangle DQ locations include:
DQ Grill & Chill, 631 Walnut St., Cary
DQ Grill & Chill, 1008 Morrisville Carpenter Road, Morrisville
DQ Grill & Chill, 5260 New Bern Ave., Raleigh.
For more information, see facebook.com/TriangleDQ/.
