Viewers are encouraged to extend their support by tuning in to enjoy a lively mix of CTV personalities, performances from an impressive roster of Maritime musicians across multiple cities, and by making generous monetary donations during the live broadcast.

Throughout the Telethon, volunteers will be standing by to take donations from viewers across the region. Viewers can call 1-844-400-1964, with phone lines opening at 10:30 am. In addition, financial donations can be made online at ChristmasDaddies.org, as well as at any Royal Bank of Canada branch across the Maritimes and at Credit Unions in Cape Breton.

One of the most-anticipated, annual charitable fundraising initiatives in the region, the Telethon  is hosted by a roster of CTV personalities, on hand to deliver the holiday spirit, fun and excitement viewers have come to expect from the much-loved “Daddies” show. This year, CTV’s Your Morning News Anchor Lindsey Deluce joins local CTV anchors Steve Murphy, Maria Panopalis and Jayson Baxter in Halifax, alongside Meteorologist Cindy Day, CTV Morning Live Co-Host Heidi Petracek, and CTV NEWS At Five’s “Section Six” host Ana Almeida. Covering off the Maritimes, CTV Morning Live’s Cyril Lunney is on the ground in Moncton, N.B. Meanwhile in Cape Breton, CTV alumnus Jeff Hutcheson hosts alongside CTV Atlantic’s Alyse Hand, Kyle Moore and  Randy MacDonald. Well known comedian Jimmy the Janitor will host in Charlottetown, PEI.

“Christmas Daddies has been around for more than half a century because of generous Maritimers, who believe in making Christmas magical for children in their communities,” said Trent McGrath, Vice-President and General Manager, CTV Atlantic, C100-FM, and 101.3 VIRGIN Radio  “It’s also a priority for us here at CTV Atlantic. We’re proud to donate the air time for the Telethon, and we’re proud of our team members who make volunteering a family affair year after year.”

“Our employees and Bell Aliant pioneers are proud to be continuing our holiday tradition of supporting the Telethon,” said Dan McKeen, Senior Vice-President and Vice-Chair, Atlantic, Bell. “We’re looking forward to taking calls from people across the region who are eager to give to families in need.”

“It’s our Maritime tradition – to help families who need a little extra help during the holidays,” said Roxanne Robinson, Executive Director for Christmas Daddies.

The telethon boasts a robust lineup of beloved Maritime artists, set to deliver live musical performances at various locations. Throughout the duration of the program, viewers can tune in to watch performances by East Coast Music Award-winner and local musical sensation Charlie A’Court and singer/songwriter,Makayla Lynn.  In addition, the Telethon  celebrates homegrown talent, featuring non-stop performances throughout the show by local school choirs and up-and-coming musicians.

In Sydney, N.S., Fred Lavery returns as musical director, joined by musicians Aaron Lewis, the Men of The Deeps, Laurel Martell, Jenn Shepard, and many more musical icons taking the stage in performances for the broadcast. The Moncton, N.B. stage hosts local musicians Jared Lutes and Ivan Daigle, and the Confederation Centre stage in Charlottetown will feature Brian J. Dunn and Kelley Mooney to round out the broadcast’s programmed performances.

Donors have an opportunity to win great prizes. By making a donation as little as $20 to Christmas Daddies, donors are eligible to win two airline tickets from the Air Canada Foundation to travel to any Air Canada destination in North America, including Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Additional prizes include ESSO gas cards, and for Cape Breton donors, a chance to keep warm all winter from Sydco Fuels with free heating for a year.

For more than 50 years, the Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon  has raised funds for Maritime children in need during the holiday season. To date, the organization has raised more than $28.5 million, with funds channeled toward gifts, clothing, and food for less-fortunate families and their children during the holiday season. CTV Atlantic’s partnership with The Salvation Army provides more than 17,000 Maritime children with toys and gifts at Christmas each year. All funds collected within a specific geographic area are later redistributed within the originating geographic area, allowing participants to donate to neighbours in need within their own cities and towns.

CTV donates airtime, technical equipment, and resources for the event while employees, families, and friends volunteer to produce the program.