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One thing is for sure, smiles are easy to find at Arctic Circle.
How could you not have a grin on your face with an ice cream in one hand and a burger in the other? But if the food and treats weren't enough, now you have the opportunity to donate to those in need through the annual Arctic Cares Hearts promotion. And you'll get a treat for doing so. Wouldn't that feel great?
But what is Arctic Cares?
In 2015, Arctic Circle founded a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Arctic Cares, to give back to the community that helped the burger stand to become a regional dining hotspot.
"The goal with it was to give back to the community, but to do it in a way that is a little bit different than other charities," Arctic Circle's Chief Marketing Officer Joe Evans says.
Arctic Cares often stays behind the scenes making helpful donations to worthy nonprofits and individuals throughout the Intermountain West. Donations can be as much as tens of thousands of dollars to other local charities, or smaller ones to an employee who finds themselves in a bind due to circumstances out of their control. There is usually very little fanfare or media coverage for many of these donations made by Arctic Cares.
Giving starts with the generosity of Arctic Circle guests who buy a heart or make a donation while placing their order during the promotion, which runs until June 25. In exchange for their donation, they are rewarded with a food item. A $1 donation gives the donor a free regular cone; for $5 they get a free sundae or for $10, a free 12-ounce Above The Rim shake.
"It's our way of thanking our guests for being generous and helping us do good in the community," Evans says.
For over 70 years, Arctic Circle has become deeply ingrained in Utah life. With a heavy footprint in a highly family-friendly area, the place with good food and great ice cream treats has built its reputation by using original family recipes that are both very tasty and very unique.
The chain's most well-known creation, The Original Fry Sauce, has since become ubiquitous at nearly every spot in the state where fries are sold. If Utah had an official state condiment, it would more than likely be Fry Sauce and Utahns would have Arctic Circle to thank for that. And if they want to bring home a bottle of the Original Fry Sauce, they can. And for every bottle sold all year round, $1 is donated to Arctic Cares.
Utah's love of a good, quick meal – with a bit of Fry Sauce – has made Arctic Circle a community favorite since its humble beginnings as a snack stand at a Pioneer Day celebration in 1924. Arctic Cares is a bit newer to the scene but has already brought smiles to those in need at places such as The Road Home Shelter, Utah Food Bank, Shriners Hospital, and many more.
Chances are, if you donate, buy a heart and get an Above The Rim shake in return, you'll be smiling even more.
