MINNEAPOLIS (www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org) - The forecast for major blizzard activity throughout the United States and Canada on Thursday, August 10, 2006 is not about the weather. It's all about helping kids in need as Grammy-winning superstar LeAnn Rimes joins Dairy Queen in celebrating the first-ever North American "Miracle Treat Day" to benefit Children's Miracle Network.

During Miracle Treat Day, participating Dairy Queen and DQ Grill & Chill locations in North America will donate proceeds from every Blizzard sold to Children's Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals.

Rimes, the international spokesperson for Children's Miracle Network, will serve as honorary chairperson for Dairy Queen's Miracle Treat Day.
"I love children," said Rimes. "And as I see these kids in children's hospitals who, by no fault of their own, have run into such tough circumstances, I want to do everything I can to help. That help will come from Children's Miracle Network."

Dairy Queen has been a supporter of Children's Miracle Network since 1984, raising more than $59 million during that time.
"LeAnn is such a great role model. We are proud to have her as our honorary chairperson," said Michael Keller, chief brand officer for International Dairy Queen. "We set the stage with a successful Miracle Treat Day in Canada and have now expanded our efforts in the U.S. for the first time. We look forward to selling lots of Blizzards to raise money for a good cause."

Instead of snow-filled blizzards, Dairy Queen will serve up a variety of Blizzard Flavor Treats during Miracle Treat Day including the August Blizzard of the Month, Oreo. The Oreo Blizzard debuted in late 1985, the Blizzard's inaugural year, and to this day remains the most popular flavor.
For more information about Dairy Queen or to find a location, visit http://www.dairyqueen.com. To join the Blizzard Fan Club, log on to http://www.blizzardfanclub.com. The DQ site for kids 13 and younger is http://www.thedqlab.com.

About LeAnn Rimes
At 21, LeAnn Rimes is one of the most accomplished recording artists in the world. To date, she has sold nearly 30 million albums, had 20 Top 10 singles, including, "How Do I Live," the longest-running single ever on the Billboard Hot 100. Her 2000 release, "Twisted Angel," marked her debut as a songwriter/producer, and her current release, "LeAnn Rimes Greatest Hits," has sold well over one million copies worldwide.