CUSTOMERS LINED up for blizzard ice cream treats yesterday at Dairy Queen and raised more money than last year with all the proceeds going to the BC Children's Hospital, as part of the ninth annual Miracle Treat Day.
Owner William Dehoog got his wish to top last year's total amount of money raised here for the Children's Miracle Network, which passes the dollars on to local hospitals affiliated with it – for Terrace, that's BC Children's.
This year, $25,534.38 was raised – last year, it was $23,268.61 – which is $2,265.77 more, said Dehoog, adding he was worried about the turnout with the rainy weather but it worked out.
"It was pretty steady most of the day. There was a couple little lulls in the afternoon but the evening was crazy," he said.
That amount raised is a combination of blizzard sales on Miracle Treat Day, $10,000 from year-round Miracle balloon sales – you can pay an extra $1 to put your name on a balloon displayed in the restaurant – and year-round cash donations, he said.
Marsha Dillon, area vice-president of western operations for Dairy Queen Canada, was here yesterday in recognition of the local Dairy Queen's efforts last year.
She said that most restaurants will donate the proceeds from blizzard sales – proceeds being the amount of money left over after food costs have been considered – but Dehoog goes beyond that and gives all the money raised.
That made him number 1 in the province for the amount of donations he contributed to BC Children's Hospital last year, added Dillon.
For his effort, Dehoog had received a plaque from the hospital.