Thursday, July 25, Dairy Queen (DQ) stores throughout the area will participate in the company’s annual Miracle Treat Day event. Participating DQ locations give $1 or more for every Blizzard Treat sold. The proceeds will help change kids’ health at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System, a member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, as 100% of the funds raised will stay local and directly benefit the local hospital’s young patients.
For 40 years, the DQ brand has sponsored Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals benefiting member hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. During that time, the DQ brand has raised more than $180 million to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Locally, DQ and CMN have partnered to raise funds for children’s medical treatment in Southeast Texas for the past 36 years. According to event organizers, the local partnership has raised roughly $500,000 “to support our youngest and most vulnerable patients at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas.” The 2024 goal is to raise more than $10,000 for the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System.
To kick off the day of sweet treats supporting sweet outcomes in children needing medical service from CMN hospitals, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont served as host for a Blizzard Treat eating contest July 24. Contestants were collected from Southeast Texas high schools.
Dax Henley of East Chambers took top spot in the contest, followed by Keira Nelson of Kelly in second place and Lane Guidry of Hamshire-Fannett and Brett Baxter of Vidor tying for third. Rounding out the group of teens taking on potential brain freezes for the good of their fellow youth were Cameron Jenkins of Lumberton and Reese Battle of Hardin-Jefferson.
“Together, we can change kids’ health. Together, we can change the future,” CMN’s motto reminds. To learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the local member hospital of CHRISTUS, visit cmnhospitals.org.
“Here at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas, we are constantly working to ensure we have state-of-the-art medical equipment for treatment, offering preventative care, Child Life and other support services to build healthier communities,” CHRISTUS Southeast Texas CMN Program Manager Caralee Thompson said. “We are so grateful for our Dairy Queen partners, who are not only providing joy with a sweet treat to our communities but are also making a huge impact for our youngest and most vulnerable patients.”