More than $475,000 was raised for children in need at the 53rd annual Christmas Daddies Telethon on Saturday.
Every year the telethon brings in thousands of dollars to distribute to children and families in need.
“There's no question about it, the partnership that The Salvation Army has with the Christmas Daddies is an absolutely phenomenal one,” said Major James Anderson of the Salvation Army. “For us to be able to partner with such an organization, to get gifts to the children at Christmas, brilliant.”
Organizers say the telethon wouldn't be possible without the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers from across the Maritimes.
"I just love the community involvement of Christmas Daddies,” said Roxanne Robinson, executive director of Christmas Daddies. “I love that it's a tradition for people. The traditions that we have we embrace. We embrace this program, and I'm so happy that the community embraces this program."
“Everyone here at CTV Atlantic, we live and work in Atlantic Canada,” said CTV Atlantic general manager Trent McGrath. “We're no different than anyone else that has come through here today to donate.”
Live broadcasts were held in mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Moncton and Charlottetown.
Meanwhile, thousands of Maritimers turned on their televisions and called in to the telethon to offer pledges and bid on auction items.
Outside the Maritimes: $8,623.56
Prince Edward Island: $7,550.97
New Brunswick: $55,945.52
Cape Breton: $95,029.32
Mainland Nova Scotia: $293,453.29
Didn't donate? It's not too late! Christmas Daddies 2017 calendars are still available at Giant Tiger locations across the Maritimes, with all proceeds going to Christmas Daddies. You can also make a donation online or at your local Royal Bank of Canada branch.
