Community members and local families gathered at the Lloydminster Dairy Queen on Aug. 13 for the annual Miracle Treat Day, raising thousands of dollars to support the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
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This year’s effort generated $24,300 in total funds for the Edmonton-based children’s hospital, driven by Blizzard sales, balloon purchases, and local corporate donations.
For local siblings Dillon Reid, 17, and Sophie Reid, 15, the cause hits close to home. Both have spent years receiving specialized care through the Stollery, making the day a personal mission to show their gratitude.
“The whole Miracle Treat Day that Dairy Queen puts on helps with the Stollery kids and the Stollery Foundation itself, which has been a big part of my life in helping me through my hard times,” Dillon said.
The siblings, joined by their 10-year-old sister Bailey, spent the day behind the counter blending ice cream treats. Sophie set a personal goal to mix 100 Blizzards during her shift, while Dillon noted his time with the hospital has even inspired his future career path. He recently completed a job shadowing opportunity with his doctors at the Stollery, aiming to become a paediatrician.
Their mother noted the hospital’s impact reaches well beyond Edmonton, offering vital support directly to families living in regional hubs like Lloydminster through telehealth consultation and coordinated care with local doctors.
Lloydminster Dairy Queen owner Jo-Anne Schiller praised the ongoing dedication of local families and the surrounding community.
“It’s something that we can give back to the community, because everybody’s been affected by the Stollery,” Schiller said. “Somebody you know, or in your family, has been affected. It’s amazing how many people have, and so it’s a great cause.”
Schiller noted that local enthusiasm for the event has remained strong for over a decade. Since the Blizzard-focused fundraising initiative officially launched in 2014, the Lloydminster location alone has raised more than $290,000 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
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