Two longtime and dedicated supporters of Sanford Children’s Miracle Network were honored recently at the national Children’s Hospitals Week conference in Florida.
Among the dozen awards presented, DeLon Mork, owner of the Dairy Queen in Madison, South Dakota, earned the Local Corporate Person of the Year award, and Chris Carter, DJ at KTWB radio in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, received the English Radio Person of the Year award.
Mork has inspired his DQ staff to sell hundreds of thousands of Blizzards for Miracle Treat Day since 2006. Bethany Olson, Sanford Health Foundation development officer, said it’s rare to find someone as passionate about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as Mork.
“He is someone who will always be there for someone who needs him and expect nothing in return,” Olson said.
Inspired by late father
Mork’s passion for Miracle Treat Day stems from his late father’s battle with cancer.
“During his year-and-a-half-long battle with cancer, he watched many families struggle and go through emotional and financial stress,” Mork said. “He thought, ‘I’ve had a good long life. It isn’t fair that kids have to go through this. They haven’t even lived yet.’ That was the toughest thing for him.”
Year after year, Madison Dairy Queen sells more Blizzards than any other store in the country. In 2017, its team of employees and volunteers made and sold more than 40,000 of the ice cream treats.
“Our goal is to do the very best we can,” Mork said. “Sanford Children’s Miracle Network is a tremendous charity, and our community just wants to support it.”
Bonds with families
For 12 years, Carter has interviewed families and shared patient stories during the annual Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon for Kids.
“He’s special to us for so many reasons. But what’s even more special are the bonds he forms with each Miracle family that crosses his path,” said Erin Sanderson, Sanford Health Foundation development manager.
Carter thanked his family, fellow staff at KTWB and especially Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals media team.
“They’ve taught me that radio is something more and can be something more,” Carter said.
The Children’s Miracle Network and Sanford Children’s Hospital teams in Sioux Falls showed him how a hospital is really like a family.
“The CMN kids and their families have shown me that at least once a year I can be something more,” Carter said.
Hope and strength
Sanderson said both Mork and Carter have the ability to bring hope to those in despair and strength to those feeling weak.
“Thank you for the love and inspiration you’ve brought to so many of us over the years and for the dedication you continue to bring,” Sanderson said.
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Posted In Foundation, News
