August Blizzard

Photo by NOAA

Folks in Madison, South Dakota (population 6,605) are no strangers to blizzards. They’re not fond of the kind that blow in in November and don’t leave until March, but they love the Blizzards dished up at their local Dairy Queen during the lazy days of summer. And when I say these folks love their Blizzards, I mean they hard-core love their Blizzards.

On Thursday of last week, this town of 6,000 people bought more than 25,000 Blizzards. Yep: 25,000. In one day. That comes out to roughly 4 Blizzards for every man, woman, and child (and maybe dog, cat, and chicken or two) in town. What in heaven’s name got into these folks? The spirit of goodwill, that’s what.

The local DQ was participating in a charity event that raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Called Miracle Treat Day, the 25,000 plus Blizzards sold last Thursday raised $60,000, which will be sent to Sanford’s Children's Hospital in nearby Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

How did the Madison DQ do it? With lots of community support. DeLon Mork, the owner of the DQ, called every business in the county weeks before Miracle Treat Day to take advance orders. On top of that, Mr. Mork and the police chief promised to skydive out of a plane if more than 25,000 Blizzards were sold. And to avoid exhausting his hard-working crew, Mr. Mork sold both Blizzards and coupons for Blizzards, which can be redeemed later­.

Coupons sound like a good idea. That way, when November rolls around and the winter blizzards are howling at the door, the good folks in Madison can slip away to the DQ and savor warm memories of their August Blizzard.

Read the article ®How one small-town business owner rallied his community for charity