Each July, yellow balloons cover the walls and windows of Rhododendron’s
Dairy Queen franchise. These Miracle Treat Balloons are sold by the franchise

through July 25 with all balloon sales benefiting Doernbecher Children’s
Hospital.

“It’s a passion project,” said Angela Harrell, franchise owner. Angela and her
husband Zack purchased the Rhododendron Dairy Queen in 2018 and are
third generation owners of the business. “We’re trying to do what we can to
make (the fundraiser) a big deal.”

In 2018 the Rhododendron Dairy Queen was a silver level fundraiser, raising
between $2,500 and $3,499 for the children’s hospital. The store was one of
the top five franchises in the Pacific Northwest region in donations that year.
This year Harrell stated their goal is to become a gold level fundraiser, with
hopes of raising more than $3,500 in donations.

Community members are invited to visit the store on Miracle Treat Day, July
25 when one dollar of each Blizzard ice cream treat sold at the franchise is
donated to the hospital. Customers receive two $1 coupons good at any Dairy
Queen in Oregon for their charitable contribution when a balloon is purchased.

On July 24, the Harrells and franchise employees will visit Doernbecher and
hand out free Blizzards to hospital employees, patients and patient’s
families. Last year they handed out 1,400 free Blizzards at the hospital.

“It’s been close to my heart since I was young,” Harrell said about her
ongoing involvement with the fundraiser. “Our little mountain community does
some big things.”