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16th Miracle Treat Day a huge success, should top $60,000

August 16, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Pickford

That’s another one in the books for Orangeville’s Dairy Queen location, which once again expects to raise more than $60,000 following the success of its 16th annual Miracle Treat Day.

Speaking to the Citizen following last Thursday’s ice cream bonanza, franchisee John Lockyer said the atmosphere at the store, at 540 Riddell Road, was infectious as staff, volunteers and customers alike came together to make this year’s Miracle Treat Day especially memorable.

“It was a great day, a fantastic day,” Mr. Lockyer said. “We’re still working away at the final totals, but it’s looking like we’re for sure on the north side of $55,000 and I don’t see any problem with us doing over $60,000 once all the final totals are calculated.”

He added, “It’s a special day for everyone. We really look forward to it all year long. It’s one day a year where we focus completely on our SickKids hospital and do our little part to make sure it gets the support it needs to do all it does on a day to day basis.”

Orangeville’s DQ sold more than 6,000 Blizzards on Aug. 9, while bringing in even more money from pre-orders placed by Orangeville area businesses. A special touch too, saw employees at the local chill and grill volunteer just under $1,400 in labour – money Mr. Lockyer puts directly toward the final fundraising total. Following this year’s success, the Orangeville DQ has raised more than $580,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network since joining the initiative in 2003.

“That’s an absolutely unbelievable number when you really think about it,” Mr. Lockyer said. “We have a special community here in Orangeville, who come out each and every year to help make this day so incredibly special. I really can’t thank them enough.”

As well as regular employees, the DQ store welcomed six child ambassadors, who John described as “miracle children”, with each sharing a personal story about how SickKids hospital had an impact on their lives. And 32 local ‘celebrities’ were also on hand throughout the day to offer their time, with most, including this reporter, helping in the Blizzard-making process.

Also in attendance was Orangeville Police Chief Wayne Kalinski, who says he always makes a point of stopping by the store to help out on Miracle Treat Day.

“We are always honoured to be able to help our community partner, Dairy Queen, for Miracle Treat Day,” Chief Kalinski told the Citizen. “We are proud to be able to assist in a small way to help raise funds for such an important charity as the Children’s Miracle Network and SickKids hospitals.”

Jennifer Moore, executive director of Dufferin Child and Family Services, also stopped by for an hour in the afternoon. After previously pulling stints at the mixing machine, Ms. Moore was behind the counter this year, helping the six ‘miracle children’ deliver Blizzards to excited guests.

“It is an honour to be able to volunteer with Orangeville Dairy Queen in support of Miracle Treat Day,” Ms. Moore said. “SickKids hospital has provided excellent care to so many children in our community. I love being a small part of giving back to the hospital, especially in such a fun environment with delicious treats like a Blizzard!”

All the money raised through this year’s efforts will go toward  fundraising for a new SickKids hospital. Mr. Lockyer says the hospital must raise $1.3 billion itself to unlock another $2.4 billion in funds previously committed by the Ontario government. Since Dairy Queen’s partnership with Children’s Miracle Network began in 1984, the organization has raised more than $130 million in support of sick and injured children across North America.

“Well, that’s another one in the books. It was so much fun, it really seems to get better and better each and every year,” Mr. Lockyer said. “The guests were fantastic. Everyone was patient and had a great big smile on their face. People stood out in the rain this year, waiting to contribute to Miracle Treat Day. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

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