Last Thursday, our class stepped into a place that calls itself “The Home Of Happiness In Freeburg.” And by the time we left Dairy Queen, we knew that happiness had very little to do with ice cream. 🍦

We were welcomed by a glowing marquee that read Welcome Silver Creek Area CEO, donuts and fountain drinks waiting for us — but it was the warmth of Chad Sanders that immediately filled the room. The kind of warmth you feel before a single word is spoken.

Chad shared his family’s story — a story rooted in resilience and deeply woven into the fabric of Freeburg. It began in the 1930s with his grandparents owning a local grocery store. That store was devastated by a fire in the 1950s, rebuilt, and eventually purchased by Chad’s parents in the 1970s. His parents pivoted from the grocery business, and in July of 1988, when Chad was just 16 years old, his parents opened the Dairy Queen at its current location. From behind the scenes, Chad watched his parents pour everything they had into a business and a community — long days, hard work, and a commitment to people that never wavered.

After 37 years, Chad’s parents retired, and in 2001, Chad took ownership of the business himself. He didn’t just run a small local Dairy Queen — he served. Chad became involved in the international Dairy Queen supply chain council and later was elected to the franchisee advisory council. He built relationships in his community and across the country, not for recognition, but because he genuinely cared about people. At 32 years old, he had no idea how profoundly those connections would matter years later.

On March 31, 2025, at 1:53 a.m., Chad’s phone alarm went off. His building was on fire. Moments later, a call from the Freeburg police chief confirmed his worst fear. As Chad rushed from his home in Smithton, he noticed the Smithton Fire Department lit up as volunteers headed out. In that moment, he knew life had changed.

What followed was loss — but also something remarkable. In the days after the fire, Chad’s phone filled with hundreds of texts and calls from people not just from this area, but from all over the country. People he had served alongside years earlier. People he had encouraged. People asking one simple question: “How can I help?” Chad reminded our students that relationships matter — that the way you treat people today may be what carries you tomorrow.

Chad spoke honestly about navigating insurance and the overwhelming weight of rebuilding, but what left the deepest impression was his heart. He shared how he made a point to learn the names of every worker on site. How he greeted them, thanked them, noticed what they drank — Monster energy drinks or water — and showed up with cases just to let them know they mattered.

Because Chad had business interruption coverage, he kept his employees on payroll through the summer. And when he realized their greatest struggle wasn’t financial, but missing their sense of purpose, he found a way to give it back. His team volunteered in the very communities they serve — cleaning parks, working Freeburg Homecoming, the Smithton Turner Picnic, and the police department golf tournament. Even in loss, Chad chose service.

The rebuild brought a new beginning — a safer, more efficient space with updated décor and added fire protection. Today, Freeburg Dairy Queen employs 42 people. Chad reminded our students that strong leaders aren’t the smartest in the room — they’re the ones humble enough to hire people who are better than them. Since reopening on November 18, 2025, Chad has shown up every single day. In just the first two weeks, he worked nearly 200 hours — not for praise, but because that’s what love for your business and your people looks like.

As we prepared to leave, Chad handed each student three coupons for mini Blizzards and issued a simple challenge: keep two for yourselves, and for the third one? Pay it forward.

Two hours later, my phone buzzed. A picture from one of our students, Eli. He had already given all three away. No hesitation. Just action.

And in that moment, we saw it — the real lesson.
Resilience. Generosity. Community. Heart.

Thank you, Chad Sanders, for reminding our students — and all of us — that the home of happiness in Freeburg isn’t built with bricks or ice cream machines. It’s built with people. 💙