FRANKLIN—Start saving your quarters because the annual Children’s Miracle Treat Day will be here before you know it. For every Blizzard sold on Thursday, Aug. 8, Dairy Queen will contribute $1 to Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Norfolk.

This will be the 29th year that Mitch Sandlin’s DQ’s have participated in the area fundraiser. Sandlin, chief executive officer of Mid-Atlantic Dairy Queen Corp., has stores in Courtland, Franklin, Windsor and 11 other locations.

He estimated that more than $350,000 has been contributed in those years from the Blizzard sales and other activities.

The national corporation encourages Dairy Queen stores everywhere to participate by donating to the Children’s Miracle Network, he said.

“All the money we raise stays local and goes to CHKD,” said Sandlin, adding that this year’s target amount is $15,000.

“The vast majority of the employees also donate, and we match an additional 10 percent,” he said.

Sandlin also said he’s noticed that many local businesses will buy Blizzards for their employees that day, which adds to the goal.

“It’s nice to see the community jump in and support it,” he said.

“Last year, 29 local Dairy Queen locations participated in Miracle Treat Day, raising more than $21,000 for CHKD,” said Jacklyn Banas, CHKD development officer for corporate relations and events.

“These funds directly support CHKD and are immediately put to good use offsetting urgent needs within the hospital,” Banas said. “We are sincerely grateful for Dairy Queen’s incredible support. We encourage families across Hampton Roads to visit a participating Dairy Queen on Aug. 8 and buy a Blizzard to support CHKD.”