Blizzards 'guilt-free' on Miracle Treat Day

J.J. and Tina Anderson said it's amazing how many Sudburians use the services of Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital.

The couple, who own the Dairy Queen locations on The Kingsway and Lorne Street, said that includes two of their staff members, one of whom had a heart surgery when she was a baby, and another who had eye surgery.

“We never knew, and they start telling us the stories,” J.J. said.

It's no wonder that the Andersons take Miracle Treat Day so seriously.

During Miracle Treat Day, which takes place Aug. 8, all proceeds from every Blizzard treat sold at participating locations go to local Children's Miracle Network member hospitals.

In Sudbury, the funds go towards Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital, where local children in need of care are usually referred.

J.J. and Tina's two restaurants raised about $17,000 for the cause last year. The couple said they hope to meet or exceed that total this year.

“If it's a heat wave, it would be even better,” J.J. said. “It would be the perfect storm.”

About $40,000 in total was raised last year on Miracle Treat Day in the Sudbury area, where many of the Dairy Queen locations are owned by members of the extended Anderson clan.

Nationally, Dairy Queen has raised more than $2.5 million for Sick Kids since 1984.

In the past, J.J. and Tina have brought in children who have been treated at Sick Kids to meet their staff.

Given that most of their staff members are young themselves — in their mid-teens to mid-20s — the children's stories really hit home, with some employees even moved to tears.

“It's so tangible once you meet them,” J.J. said. “Young people are so brave. They have such a great outlook. They're not sorry for themselves. Our kids pick up on that.”

Most Dairy Queens in the Sudbury area have special activities planned for Miracle Treat Day.

At the location on The Kingsway, for example, firefighters will be mixing up Blizzards, along with Lougheeds Funeral Homes director Gerry Lougheed Jr. There will also be raffles and face-painting.

The Lorne Street location will have a barbecue from 3-6 p.m., and the local band Outrival will perform starting at 8 p.m.

J.J. said many businesses order Blizzards for their staff members to help out the cause. If nothing else, it's an excuse to enjoy a “guilt-free” Blizzard, he said.

Aaron Sanderson, manager of the Children's Miracle Network Program at the Sick Kids Foundation, praised the Anderson family and other Sudbury franchise owners for their participation in Miracle Treat Day.

He said the fundraiser is crucial for Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital, with more than $250,000 coming to the hospital from Miracle Treat Day last year. This money is used to improve the level of care provided there, Sanderson said.

“There are thousands of children that come from the Sudbury region to the hospital every year,” he said. “We know that Sick Kids is always going to be that tertiary acute care centre for all the kids that are here in this northern region.”

For more information about Miracle Treat Day, visit www.miracletreatday.ca.