Shakopee DQ To Donate Blizzard Proceeds to Kids

Thursday is going to be a great day for ice cream, and it has nothing to do with the weather forecast.

On Aug. 11, Dairy Queens throughout Scott County—including the at 8021 Old Carriage Court—will participate in Miracle Treat Day, a one-day fundraiser through Children’s Miracle Network that benefits kids receiving care at St. Paul’s Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.  

While participating DQ operators have agreed to donate a minimum of $1 per Blizzard sold, many owners choose to go above and beyond that commitment.  

“Many Dairy Queens actually choose to contribute $2 per Blizzard or give 100 percent of proceeds from the Blizzard purchase,” Children’s Miracle Network spokesperson Cate Pardo explained. “Dairy Queen is an extremely generous corporation and is one of Gillette's top Children's Miracle Network sponsors year after year.”

The Shakopee DQ raised $449 for the cause last year but, with the help of its customers, it hopes to surpass that number this year.

“The residents of Shakopee and surrounding communities that visit participating Dairy Queen locations in Scott County area are what make Miracle Treat Day a successful event for Shakopee, Scott County and Minnesota,” said Luke Feldbrugge, director of marketing for Fourteen Foods, owner of the Shakopee DQ.

Throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin, Miracle Treat Day raised more than $235,000 in 2010 and, according statistics provided by Pardo, the DQ network has raised more than $81 million for Children’s Miracle Network since 1984.

The DQ network has also donated more than $3 million to Gillette specifically since 1984. In 2010, the hospital provided care to over 23,000 children, including 600 from Scott County and 166 from Shakopee.

“There are families throughout Minnesota who rely on the services provided at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare,” Feldbrugge explained. “Regardless of where you live, your Blizzard purchase on (Thursday) will make a difference in the lives of those children.”