Jefferson Dairy Queen owner creates 'miracles'

JEFFERSON, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - The FOX 5 Storm Team may be calling for plenty of heat in the extended forecast, but today there’s a 100% chance of Blizzards — even with a high temperature in the 90s!

Today is Miracle Treat Day, an annual fundraising event at which a dollar or more from every Blizzard Treat sold at participating Dairy Queen locations is donated to local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. And no DQ location participates quite like the one owned by David Gillespie, Jr. in Jefferson. 

As you’ve probably seen on Good Day Atlanta in the past, Gillespie and his family go way above and beyond to make Miracle Treat Day a success, raising thousands of dollars each year through special events including Blizzard Treat eating competitions featuring local high school students and faculty members, police officers, and firefighters. 

Gillespie and his DQ staff donate all of their Miracle Treat Day proceeds to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — a total which came to nearly $14,000 in 2017. 

This year’s Miracle Treat Day will be especially memorable, as Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals co-founder Joseph G. Lake decided to spend it in Jefferson, getting a first-hand look at how the Gillespie family and local community have turned the annual event into such a sweet celebration. And, of course, the Good Day feature team also spent the morning in Jefferson, helping celebrate this special day and (of course) doing our part by eating a few Blizzards!