The Tribune

On July 28, Dairy Queen Bahamas will host its third annual Miracle Treat Day. Two dollars for every blizzard sold will be donated to help children and families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). All four DQ locations in New Providence will participate – Southwest Plaza, Cable Beach, Harbour Bay and The Mall at Marathon.

Patrons can participate in Miracle Treat Day in three ways: by purchasing a special pre-sold blizzard coupon that can be redeemed any time before August 28; by pre-ordering blizzards that can be collected on Miracle Treat Day, or simply by visiting any DQ store on Miracle Treat Day and purchase blizzards.

Small or large donations in cash or by cheque can also be made at all stores.

This is the third year that DQ Bahamas is participating in Miracle Treat Day, which has been celebrated for more than 30 years across the United States and Canada, raising more than $100 million for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“Miracle Treat Day is a celebration of life and hope, as well as a fundraiser that draws support from families, friends, strangers and businesses, all eager to help children who need it most,” said DQ’s Derek Osborne. “We are proud that through this event we can help make miracles for children and families in our community.” In 2014 and 2015, DQ Bahamas sold more than 7,000 blizzards on Miracle Treat Day and raised $14,930 for children with cancer and diabetes.

This year, DQ hopes to sell 3,500 blizzards on Miracle Treat Day plus 1,500 blizzard coupons and raise $10,000 for those affected by ASD.

REACH Bahamas will receive 75 per cent of the funds raised with the remaining 25 per cent benefiting other programmes that support families with autistic children.

ASD remains the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the Bahamas, according to REACH.

And according to the US Centres for Disease Control one in every 68 children is diagnosed with autism.

REACH has been in the trenches for 17 years as a non-profit promoting awareness of autism and providing resources to parents and their children with ASD.

Those with ASD struggle daily to fit into a society where their perception of the world and the way that they communicate differ vastly from their peers. The parents of children with ASD bear the burden of searching for intervention and treatment methods that will help their children “fit in” and function in a society that is still very much in the dark on this disorder.

In February, REACH relocated to a larger facility on Village Road. REACH hopes that funds raised from the Miracle Treat Day campaign will help establish a functioning therapy room at their new location to provide children with ASD access to much needed speech and occupational therapy on a consistent basis.

“There are four speech therapists on the island and private sessions are virtually out of financial reach for most of the families participating in our organization,” said Marcia Newball, REACH executive director. “Vocational, behavioural and occupational therapy are also very expensive. We now have a location that can accommodate sessions and with community and corporate support we hope to facilitate training programs to assist families and children with ASD who need it so desperately. Miracle Treat Day is a way to build community while having fun and helping others.”

For more information on REACH or to receive a Miracle Treat Day pre-order form, call 328-4123 or 698-7744.