DQ Sisters: Always giving, now needing our help.

They’ve Always Been There for Us…Now Let’s Be There for Them.

I’ve worked at the Dairy Queen in Medford, NY for years, and I can say without hesitation that our “DQ Sisters” — Michelle and Pat — are more than just owners. They are the heart of this place, and for so many of us, they’ve become family.

I’ve seen it with my own eyes: they’ve stepped in like surrogate mothers when life gets tough. They’ve pulled off Christmas miracles for employees’ kids, quietly paid for funerals, celebrated graduations, and lifted us up through struggles big and small. When one of our team members was battling cancer, they organized a fundraiser to help cover costs. They’ve handed employees money out of their own pockets when someone couldn’t make rent or cover an emergency expense.

The DQ Sisters have also built this Dairy Queen into a true second chance company. They hire people others might overlook — those with disabilities, people rebuilding after addiction, and even folks with felony records who just needed someone to believe in them. For many of us, this place was the only door that opened when every other one was shut. Working here has never just been a job — it’s been a safe, stable, and caring home because of Michelle and Pat.

Now, they’re facing something that could take it all away.

Back in 2020, the DQ Sisters were blindsided with a class action lawsuit over a technicality in how often “manual workers” are paid under New York law. They always followed the state’s guidance, worked through ADP payroll, and made sure every cent of our paychecks was right. But the lawyers wouldn’t back down.

Under immense pressure, Michelle and Pat were forced to settle for $450,000 — more than $300,000 of which went straight to attorney’s fees. The rest will be divided among over 200 employees in the class action (most of whom had no idea this lawsuit even existed).

The most heartbreaking part? The sisters fought to change the law so other small businesses wouldn’t suffer the same fate — and they actually succeeded. But their victory came too late to save themselves.

This settlement has left them devastated. I’ve watched them give their lives to keep this Dairy Queen running for us and our community. And now, unless we rally around them, we could lose it all.

That’s why I’m asking — as a friend, an employee, and someone who loves these women like family — for your help. Every donation will go directly toward helping Michelle and Pat cover this crushing settlement and keep our Dairy Queen open.

If you’ve ever been touched by their generosity, enjoyed a cone or a Blizzard made with love, or simply believe in standing up for good people in a bad situation, please donate if you can and share this far and wide.

Let’s keep the lights on, the soft-serve flowing, and the spirit of the DQ Sisters alive in Medford.