CTV Atlantic Brings Holiday Cheer with Milestone 60th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DADDIES TELETHON, December 2

HALIFAX (November 27, 2023) – CTV Atlantic prepares to make the holidays brighter for families in need across the Maritimes on Saturday, Dec. 2 with the 60^th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DADDIES TELETHON. Beginning at 11 a.m. AT on CTV, the beloved holiday tradition is also available for live streaming on CTVAtlantic.ca and the CTV News app. The 60^th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DADDIES TELETHON is CTV Atlantic’s longest-standing tradition, and delivers holiday cheer by showcasing local performers while providing for those in need. With the increased demand for support, the 60^th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DADDIES TELETHON has collaborated once again with The Salvation Army to distribute food, toys, and gifts throughout the holiday season. To donate, viewers can call 1-844-400-1964 beginning at 11 a.m. AT, with volunteers donating their time to accept phone calls. Donations can also be made online at ChristmasDaddies.org. Telethon organizers encourage donors to honour their pledges via e-transfer, PayPal, at RBC locations in the Maritimes, or by mailing a cheque to the address listed on the official Christmas Daddies website. In Cape Breton, pledges are also being accepted at Credit Unions throughout the month of December. The 50/50 raffle also returns with three separate draws taking place for viewers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Last year, the winner from Nova Scotia took home $135,812 in cash. “What resonates for the team at CTV Atlantic is the impact Christmas Daddies has made on our Maritime communities over the course of 60 years,” said Trent McGrath, General Manager, CTV Atlantic/Bell Media Radio Atlantic. “The telethon has not only helped hundreds of thousands of families over that time, but it’s also a wonderful showcase of the enormous generosity of our viewers.” “Congratulations CHRISTMAS DADDIES TELETHON on 60 years of supporting families across the region over the holidays,” said Glen LeBlanc, Bell’s Vice-Chair, Atlantic. “Bell Aliant is proud to support the efforts of the hundreds of volunteers who bring the Telethon to life each year; it has become one of our favourite holiday traditions.” One of the most anticipated annual charitable fundraising initiatives in the region, the 60^th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DADDIES TELETHON includes familiar faces from the CTV Atlantic team, as well as special guests. Co-hosting this year in Halifax are Steve Murphy and Todd Battis, joined by CTV NEWS AT FIVE anchors Maria Panopalis and Jayson Baxter, alongside Ana Almeida, Katie Kelly, Paul Hollingsworth, and Kalin Mitchell. CTV reporters Laura Brown, Avery MacRae, Alan MacLellan, and Alana Pickrell host from the Glad Tiding Church in Moncton, N.B. with musician Ivan Daigle. Local comedian Bette MacDonald hosts from the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, Cape Breton. CTV’s Jack Morse and comedian Jimmy the Janitor host from The Guild in Charlottetown. The seven-hour special also features holiday songs from a multitude of performers across all three Maritime provinces. In Nova Scotia, viewers can expect to hear DeeDee Austin, Dylan Guthro, and Jah’Mila. New Brunswick’s talented lineup of performers includes Matt Andersen, Mike Biggar, and Joan Kennedy.  P.E.I. performers include Lennie Gallant, Catherine MacLellan, and Richard Wood. For segments from Cape Breton, Matt Minglewood, Heather Rankin, and Morgan Toney and Keith Mullins appear. The 60^th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DADDIES TELETHON also includes special tributes honouring two notable, long-time supporters the Maritime community lost this year, who appeared in many telethon broadcasts over the years: Bruce Guthro, the Cape Breton-born musical legend who left a lasting legacy with his music and generosity; and Hollywood actor Alan Arkin, who kept a summer residence in Cape Breton. Since it began in 1964, the 60^th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DADDIES TELETHON has raised more than $38.5 million dollars for Maritime families. CTV Atlantic’s partnership with The Salvation Army provides more than 18,000 Maritime children and parents with toys and gifts during the holidays each year. All financial donations are redistributed within their originating geographic area, allowing viewers to donate within their own communities. CTV donates airtime, technical equipment, and resources for the event, while employees, families, and friends volunteer their time.