Innisfail residents have always been known for their caring and generous nature.
They more than proved that this month by raising more than $14,000 through Miracle Treat Day and other programs for the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary.
“We've had unbelievable support from our customers and the business community,” said Mark Kemball, owner of Innisfail's Dairy Queen outlet. “The last few years have been absolutely phenomenal.”
Miracle Treat Day is celebrated every August at Dairy Queens across North America and is one of several fundraisers with the Children's Miracle Network.
“We've been donating money to the Alberta Children's Hospital through the Children's Miracle Network in this store for 27 years,” said Kemball. “The actual Miracle Treat Day has only been an (fundraising) event for 14 years.”
The Children's Miracle Network (CMN) is a network of children's hospitals across North America. It fundraises as an umbrella organization with individual contributors donating to the hospital of their choice.
Here in Innisfail, Dairy Queen blended about 2,400 Blizzards during this year's Miracle Treat Day on Aug. 11.
“Dairy Queens (across North America) donate the proceeds of all Blizzard sales to local children's hospitals,” he said, adding it's Dairy Queen's biggest corporate fundraiser every year. “It's not just the proceeds from our Blizzards here. We also have coin canisters and we sell balloons for the Alberta Children's Hospital.”
Kemball noted the amount raised this month is just down from last year's total of $15,500.
“We raised just over $14,000 this year, which is a huge number in these economic times. We're very, very pleased that once again the town has come out to support this,” he said. “All of our proceeds go to the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary.”
Over the years funds raised have totalled a substantial amount, he noted, adding it's one of the ways of not only giving back to the community but to the province.
“Many kids in this community have used that hospital, including former staff with children,” said Kemball. “It's a cause that is very close to our heart and we're very proud to do it.”
Mark Kemball, owner of Innisfail's Dairy Queen
"We've had unbelievable support from our customers and the business community. The last few years have been absolutely phenomenal."
