MADISON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – What started as a trip to Dairy Queen for a Blizzard became an opportunity to support children and families across South Dakota during Miracle Treat Day.
For one day each year, proceeds from every Blizzard sold at participating Dairy Queen locations benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In eastern South Dakota, those dollars stay local, supporting Sanford Children’s Hospital and helping families navigate the financial challenges that can come with a child’s hospitalization.
“It is without a doubt the favorite day of the year, has been for 21 years,” Madison Dairy Queen owner Delon Mork said.
According to Dairy Queen Chief Operations Officer Art Delia, the company has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for more than four decades.
“We’ve been partnering with Children’s Miracle Network for over 42 years now, raised over $195 million, and what’s so special about the partnership is all the money stays local,” Delia said.
That local impact is what makes the fundraiser meaningful for Mork.
“When mom and dad are thinking, ‘How are we going to pay for this? How are we going to be here? We’re going to be here for two weeks. I don’t have any money to eat. I’m in pajamas. What do we do?’ CMN treats the whole family,” Mork said. “They have meals, mileage and lodging, and they just help everybody.”
The Madison Dairy Queen has been operated by the Mork family since 1964. Mork said continuing the tradition of Miracle Treat Day has become a way to honor his parents’ legacy.
“So this is what we did together every day. We ate, slept and breathed this place,” Mork said. “My mother died in 2002, my dad in 2004. First Miracle Treat Day was 2006, so they didn’t know what this event was, but I know they’re looking down and I know they’re proud of it.”
The fundraiser extended beyond the restaurant Thursday.
Instead of waiting for customers to stop by, Mork and his team delivered Blizzards to employees at Gehl Manufacturing, where production briefly paused so workers could enjoy a surprise treat while supporting the fundraiser.
“Their plant manager said, ‘Yeah, that’s a cool concept. I like it. We’ll stop production, you bring the Blizzards in, and we’ll come through the line,’” Mork said. “Again, everybody wins. The employer gets to do something nice for their employees, the employee gets the Blizzard, we get to raise the money, the hospital gets the money, and we get to help children and families.”
Mork said one of the most rewarding parts of the day is seeing how grateful people are for the opportunity to participate.
“Probably the coolest thing is the thanks we get from them. They’re thanking us for doing this, but they’re the ones making a difference,” Mork said.
From the Dairy Queen counter to the manufacturing floor, the fundraiser reflected the company’s longtime slogan, “Happy Tastes Good.”
“‘Good’ is the word I’ll single out there because it’s also about doing good, and this is where we want to give back to our communities,” Delia said.
“Midwest people care about their neighbors, and they want to help, and with this event, you get something for doing that,” Mork said. “It’s a lot of fun, and we couldn’t be more proud.”
Mork said the generosity of local residents continues to make Miracle Treat Day successful year after year.
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