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Miss Montana hands out Blizzards at Shodair for Miracle Treat Day

Posted at 6:22 PM, Aug 02, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-03 00:18:52-04

HELENA – Miracle Treat Day was Thursday, August 2 and to celebrate the occasion Laura Haller, Miss Montana 2018, was on hand at Shodair Children’s Hospital to give Blizzards to the patients.

Miracle Treat Day is a national event that benefits Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. Shodair is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Montana.

Dairy Queen stores across Montana are participating in the event. Depending on the location, either 100 percent of the proceeds, or $1 will go to Shodair from every Blizzard sold.

Each Blizzard that was given to patients was paid for by the staff at Shodair.

“Our employee giving fund is strong because the community members that work believe in the mission of the work we do, and also want to see patients have special treats, and Blizzards are very popular throughout the organization,” Community Relations Director Alana Listoe said. “The hospital has been abuzz all week in anticipation and having Miss Montana here makes it extra special this year.”

In addition to passing out the frozen treats, Haller also took the time to meet with the patients and share with them her love of dance.

Haller is a Helena native who has been dancing professionally with a cruise line for the last two years. She is a Helena High and Boise State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in medical health science and a minor in dance.

As an ambassador for CMN and part of her Miss Montana platform, Haller will be creating dance classes for the patients at Shodair.

“It’s just a creative outlook that gives these kids the opportunity to try something new,” said Haller, “Maybe they haven’t ever tried dancing before, and they never thought about how fun it could be.”

Haller plans on attending medical school once her reign as Miss Montana has ended and said she is very thankful for this opportunity at Shodair.

“I’m happy that I get to have as much involvement in Shodair as I can,” said Haller, “Being Miss Montana gives me a huge opportunity I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Last year the Shodair Medical Genetics department and the Children and Adolescent Psychiatric department served more than 1,800 in 38 Montana counties.