Murphy’s Logic: Christmas Daddies is still needed

Murphy’s Logic: Christmas Daddies Steve Murphy gives us his take on a Maritime tradition, the Christmas Daddies Telethon and the need that keeps it going.

A lot of things have changed since 1964.

In many ways, today’s modern world is practically unrecognizable, by comparison.

But after almost 60 years one thing that remains regrettably familiar is the face of child poverty. While government benefits have reduced the numbers, we still have too many children going without necessities, including food.

In late 1964, it was a young boy, tossed from a Halifax tavern after begging for money for food, who moved a couple of men out for steak and beer, to pass the hat. When they got back to the radio and TV station where they worked, they suggested to the boss that they do a show to raise money for poor kids. They invited local musicians to perform, after the clubs closed. They made $1,500 that first night.

And so was born the show and the charity we still know by its very 1964 name, Christmas Daddies. It has now raised more than $38 million.

These days, Christmas Daddies isn’t just for needy kids who celebrate Christmas – and the people who give aren’t just daddies, like the men who started it – but the mandate to provide some comfort and joy remain the same.

And fortunately, one other thing that hasn’t changed, is the willingness of good people to answer the call to help.

We’ll ask again, for the 60th time, this Saturday.