Help Needy Children by Eating Ice Cream

Edina-based  is giving locals an opportunity to give back to children with disabilities while indulging their sweet tooth.

All day Thursday, July 26, participating Dairy Queens across the country—including locations at  and  in Edina—will donate $1 or more from each Blizzard sold to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a national organization which raises awareness and funds for children’s hospitals.

Now in its seventh year, the Miracle Treat Day fundraiser raised $4.5 million in 2011 at locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Since 1984, the Dairy Queen system has raised more than $90 million through fundraising efforts including Miracle Treat Day, the Miracle Balloon campaign and other local initiatives, the company said.

“When we first decided to host a system-wide event that would involve the entire Dairy Queen family, we had no idea how much impact it would have and how it would grow in size and popularity each year," said John Gainor, president and CEO of International Dairy Queen Inc. "Miracle Treat Day has become such a celebration of life and hope, as well as a fundraiser that draws support from local communities of families, neighbors, friends and people from all walks of life who are eager to help the children in their cities and towns who need it the most."

Money raised in Minnesota and western Wisconsin benefits Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. Gillette is an independent, not-for-profit hospital located in St. Paul, with clinics in Minnetonka, Burnsville, Maple Grove and northern Minnesota.

To find other participating Dairy Queens, visit the Miracle Treat Day website.

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