62nd annual Christmas Daddies Telethon took place Saturday

Saturday marks the 62nd annual Christmas Daddies Telethon on CTV.

The stage is nearly set for the 62^nd annual Christmas Daddies Telethon.

“We have been busy since September getting ready for telethon day. We often joke that it’s a marathon not a telethon,” said Christmas Daddies executive director Roxanne Robinson.

On the eve of the telethon Friday, volunteers were still hard at work getting the set ready, setting up telephone banks, and prepping auction items.

Each year, the telethon raises money for the Salvation Army to help families in need over the holidays. Last year it raised a total of $770,000.

“We could not do what we do, not only at Christmastime, but 365 days a year, across the Maritimes, across the country, without our phenomenal partners,” said Major Pam Goodyear with the Salvation Army.

Last year, 18,000 children received toys, food, and gifts. The need this year is greater than ever.

“So many families right now are struggling. Mom or dad are making a decision: do I pay my rent or do I give my kids Christmas? And because of the support of Christmas Daddies, we’re able to say, ‘We can help you with that. You don’t have to make a choice,’” said Goodyear.

It’s a cause close to the hearts of volunteers.

“This is to give back to our community and I can’t wait to carry the tradition on with my kids,” said volunteer Stephanie Bartlett.

“It’s such a Christmas tradition for us to turn on the television and watch Christmas Daddies, and my grandmother loved it.”

There are lots of ways people can support, including through the 50/50 and online auction.

“We have a really exciting Maud Lewis gingerbread house up for bid. We have lots of fun things for everyone to enjoy, including a rocker recliner from Nothing Fancy. A trip from WestJet,” said Robinson.

While every year is full of top-notch talent, there’s a lot to look forward to Saturday.

“We’ll have a stellar lineup of talent from around the region, including Classified, Patsy Gallant from New Brunswick and Tara MacLean from P.E.I.,” said Robinson. “We have an incredible lineup from Cape Breton, including Men of the Deeps, Barra MacNeils. Lots of new faces, lots of familiar faces.”

Robinson said there will also be a few surprises throughout the broadcast.

The 62nd annual Christmas Daddies Telethon takes place Saturday, Dec. 6 on CTV and ctvatlantic.ca from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.