Dairy Queen franchise owner rallies Scarborough community to support SickKids
Miracle Treat Day is the single most important day of the year for Dairy Queen franchise owner Rob Longarini. Rob and his wife, Linda, own two Dairy Queen franchises in Scarborough, and they have been supporting Miracle Treat Day for 15 years. Since 2004, Rob’s Dairy Queens have raised over $120,000 for SickKids. But they couldn’t do it without the help of their employees like Kenzie and Brittney.Fifteen years ago, Kenzie was a SickKids patient herself. When she was five years old, Kenzie suffered a straddle injury and was rushed to SickKids, where she stayed for a few weeks due to infections and complications. “After being in an ambulance for three hours traveling from Haliburton, I remember being greeted with clowns and very friendly doctors,” says Kenzie. “My family and I have wonderful memories as a result of an unwanted accident thanks to the care and support I received at SickKids.”
Kenzie’s SickKids experience has stayed with her over time, and it motivates her to keep fundraising through Miracle Treat Day. “I am very happy to be working with a company that is so passionate about SickKids. I am very grateful for what SickKids did for me and what they do for other children.”
Rob, Linda, Kenzie, Brittney, and the rest of their team have made a continuous effort to involve their community in the Miracle Treat Day festivities. “All summer, people are asking when Miracle Treat Day is. People are looking forward to it,” says Dairy Queen employee, Brittney.
On the actual day, Rob’s stores are overwhelmingly busy. “You really get a sense from the community that they want to help, they want to give back, and they want to support SickKids,” says Rob. “Customers pre-order Blizzards, take extra Blizzards home, and do what they can to donate extra money on the special day.”
To celebrate Miracle Treat Day and generate fundraising buzz, Rob’s Dairy Queen plans activities all day long. “We take blank white t-shirts and paint them, we dress up in funny attire, and we enjoy the day while interacting with the customers,” says Rob.
“The whole neighbourhood comes out for fun and games,” says Brittney, whose favourite part of Miracle Treat Day is interacting with the children in her community.
But beyond the summer fun, Miracle Treat Day is a chance to learn about the importance of giving back. “We get to help the families in our community teach their children that we are here for a cause and that we can make a difference,” says Kenzie. “We want to explain to kids that they are going to help a child their age.”
For Rob, his favourite part of Miracle Treat Day is the day after. “I like the next day,” says Rob, “when I get to sit down and see how much money we’ve made for SickKids. It really gives you a sense of accomplishment.”
It is the hardworking people like Rob, Linda, Kenzie, and Brittney that make days like Miracle Treat Day so successful. On Thursday, August 9, Dairy Queen locations across Canada will once again be raising funds in support of Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. If you live in the Scarborough area, be sure to come by Rob’s Dairy Queen locations (2882 Kingston Road and 10 Danforth Road) to support SickKids.
On the actual day, Rob’s stores are overwhelmingly busy. “You really get a sense from the community that they want to help, they want to give back, and they want to support SickKids,” says Rob. “Customers pre-order Blizzards, take extra Blizzards home, and do what they can to donate extra money on the special day.”
“You really get a sense from the community that they want to help, they want to give back, and they want to support SickKids.”
“The whole neighbourhood comes out for fun and games,” says Brittney, whose favourite part of Miracle Treat Day is interacting with the children in her community.
But beyond the summer fun, Miracle Treat Day is a chance to learn about the importance of giving back. “We get to help the families in our community teach their children that we are here for a cause and that we can make a difference,” says Kenzie. “We want to explain to kids that they are going to help a child their age.”
For Rob, his favourite part of Miracle Treat Day is the day after. “I like the next day,” says Rob, “when I get to sit down and see how much money we’ve made for SickKids. It really gives you a sense of accomplishment.”
It is the hardworking people like Rob, Linda, Kenzie, and Brittney that make days like Miracle Treat Day so successful. On Thursday, August 9, Dairy Queen locations across Canada will once again be raising funds in support of Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. If you live in the Scarborough area, be sure to come by Rob’s Dairy Queen locations (2882 Kingston Road and 10 Danforth Road) to support SickKids.
