Local DQ Raises Money For Riley Kids Fund

If you drive by Dairy Queen Tuesday afternoon, don’t be surprised to see Jerry Nolin sitting on the roof. Jerry, who co-owns the Dairy Queen with his wife Jane, will be collecting money for the Kosciusko County Riley Kids Fund. Every year, Dairy Queen restaurants across the United States and Canada raise money for Children’s Miracle Network on “Miracle Treat Day,” which is Thursday this year. All proceeds from the sale of Blizzards Thursday will be donated from the Winona Lake DQ to Riley through the Network. Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals, like Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Every year, Nolin said his business collects $4,000 to $5,000. “This year, I wanted to do something different,” he said. “Tuesday, I’m going to sit on the roof until I collect $5,000.” That $5,000 is separate from the sale of Blizzards, and will go directly to the Kosciusko County Riley Kids Fund through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Nolin said he’s doing it because of his friends Alan Alderfer and Mike Bergen, and because the work Riley Hospital does has hit close to home. Alderfer and Bergen, business partners for Alderfer Bergen & Company, started the Riley Kids Fund in July 2011. Both men have children that have had to go to Riley for treatment. The fund assists children who receive treatment at Riley Hospital For Children. The fund provides items like gas and food cards to families. Riley Hospital’s work also hit closer to home for Nolin when the daughter of his nephew, Adam Clemens, started going to Riley for treatment of a brain tumor. “With my nephew Adam,” Nolin said, “it just hit closer to home. Hopefully, the local community will help out.” He said Dairy Queen, 2304 E. Winona Ave., Winona Lake, has been in business in the community for 23 years. He’s had children grow up, go to school and graduate here, and now has grandchildren. “I have strong roots in this community,” he said. If companies want to order Blizzzards in advance, Nolin said they can call 574-267-2315. The desserts will be made and refrigerated until they are picked up. “I want people to know the money is going to the Kosciusko Community Foundation for local people. I want to express that strongly,” Nolin said. For more information about Miracle Treat Day, visit the official website at http://miracletreatday.com For more information about the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and the Riley Kids Fund, visit http://www.kcfoundation.org For more information about the Children’s Miracle Network, visit http://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org