Articles 2006

It's a record breaker

December 03, 2006 Halifax, Nova Scotia

The giving just didn't stop at the 43rd Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon, and that means a special Christmas for over 15,000 children around the Maritimes. This year's Telethon raised an incredible $891,248 - a 23% increase over last year.

Donations came from across the country, including:

  • $411,876 from Mainland Nova Scotia,
  • $151,991 from New Brunswick,
  • $36,135 from Prince Edward Island,
  • $270,726 from Cape Breton, and
  • $20,520 from outside the Maritimes

Special Update: As of January 12th, 2007, the 2006 Christmas Daddies Telethon has raised a total of $922,499.56 - a 27% increase over last year!

"This year, as always, we are absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity shown to this wonderful event," said Steve Murphy host of the Mainland Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Telethon. "The success of the Telethon, and in fact the growth of the Telethon, proves that Maritimers understand how important Christmas Daddies is to our communities and our region and further proves how big the hearts of Maritimers are.".

Christmas Daddies received it's largest single donation ever from HBC companies - Zellers, the Bay and Home Outfitters with a cheque of $106, 565.

The seven-hour telethon featured an impressive range of talent including Chad Doucette and Brandon Jones from Canadian Idol, Gabrielle Miller and Janet Wright from Corner Gas, Bobby Curtola, Dave Gunning, Matt Minglewood and Aaron Lines. Children's performers included the Halifax Boys Honour Choir and Lewisville Middle School Choir from Moncton, New Brunswick.

The Telethon, a Maritime tradition since 1964, raises money to provide toys, gifts, and clothing for less fortunate children throughout the region. All funds raised are returned to the area from which they originated and are distributed by the Salvation Army. It is estimated that this year's Telethon will assist more than 15,000 children across the region.

The Christmas Daddies Telethon would not be possible without the support of CTV, which donated airtime and equipment for the broadcast. CTV employees, friends, and families donated their time to produce this special holiday event. The Telethon's technical support was provided by Aliant, which was proudly staffed by over 200 volunteers from Aliant and Aliant Pioneers.

Pledges may be honoured at any branch of the Royal Bank in the Maritimes, or online at www.christmasdaddies.org.

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Christmas Daddies improves online presence

November 6, 2006 Halifax, Nova Scotia

Learning about and giving to Christmas Daddies just got easier! Christmas Daddies has officially launched its new website at www.christmasdaddies.org in preparation for this year's Christmas Daddies Telethon.

The website was made possible by Nicom IT Solutions of Halifax which donated the technology and services to allow for more comprehensive features and simpler navigation of the site..

"It was a special project for us" said Pat d'Entremont, Partner at Nicom IT Solutions, "It means a lot to be able to give back to an organization that does so much for our Maritime community.".

New features on the site include a photo gallery of favourite Telethon memories, a news and events page that lists Christmas Daddies fund raisers around the region and an overview of the auction items up for bid during the Telethon. Supporters can also donate any time at www.christmasdaddies.org. Donations are processed and secured by Skipjack Financial www.skipjack.com.

The Christmas Daddies Telethon began in 1964 when a group of station employees felt compelled to raise money for a desperate child they found begging in a local drinking establishment. That first Telethon raised $1,500. Since then, Christmas Daddies has raised more than $24 million. Last year alone more than 15,000 children received assistance as a result of the Telethon.

The Christmas Daddies Telethon will broadcast live on Sunday, December 3, 2006 on CTV.

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Nicom celebrates merger!

July 8 , 2006 Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nicom IT Solutions celebrated their recent merger with clients and friends at an open house held June 7th. Representatives from a number of organizations including Nova Scotia Business Inc., Halifax Regional Water Commission, Halifax Port Authority, Eastlink, Xwave and CGI, were on hand to congratulate Partners Pat d'Entremont and David Nicholson.

"The response to the news of the merger has been overwhelming and we're very pleased with the results to date," said David.

After competing, directly and indirectly, in the local marketplace for over 20 years Pat and David explored the synergies of DDA Solutions and Nicom Ltd. and discovered that there were several. Now the largest independent IT Consulting firm in Nova Scotia, Nicom IT welcomed clients and partners to their newly renovated offices in the West End Mall and introduced them to an expanded menu of services.

"We're very excited about the merger," Pat says, "Nicom IT is now a full service IT firm and that provides a lot of value to our clients."

Nicom IT now provides IT Consulting, Technical Support, Software Development, Web Design and Development, Staffing Services through their DDA Staffing Solutions arm and Management Consulting via their partnership with The Novus Consulting Group.

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Nicom and DDA merge - merger creates largest independant it consulting firm in nova scotia

March 20 , 2006 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nicom and DDA Solutions Merger Expands Service Offerings

Seizing on an opportunity to leverage off each other's strengths, two leading Nova Scotia Information Technology firms, DDA Solutions and Nicom Ltd., have announced a merger. The two firms have very complementary service offerings and the synergy of a merger will enable them to offer a complete range of IT consulting and software development solutions to their clients as well as priming the organizations for future expansion into international marketplaces.

Under the terms of the agreement, the combined company will operate as Nicom IT Solutions, with a division operating as DDA Staffing Services. DDA President Pat d'Entremont will be Director of Business Development while Nicom President David Nicholson will take on the role of Managing Director. As well, an Advisory Board is being assembled, headed up by Halifax entrepreneur Terry Norman.

"The merger makes tremendous sense for our clients and our employees. It marks an unparalleled opportunity for two successful, mission-driven organizations to unify with a singular purpose of being the premier supplier of IT services in the Maritimes", says Nicholson. "It's all about growth" says d'Entremont. "This merger gives us instant critical mass which will enable us to compete more effectively both locally and internationally. With a staff complement of over 30 full-time and contract positions, this makes us the largest independent IT consulting firm in Nova Scotia".

The combined breadth of information technology consulting services encompasses:

About DDA Solutions

DDA Solutions was founded in 1986 to develop custom software for clients. Since then it has expanded its offerings to include a wider range of IT solutions in the form of consulting, software and websites. As well, a professional staffing services division helps clients with contract and full-time IT professionals.

About Nicom

When founded in 1982, Nicom's focus was on the development of custom software for clients. It has grown, as a result of customers demand, to include such services as technical support, hardware and networking services, IT consulting, and website development. Nicom is also a partner in the Novus Consulting Group, a full service management consulting firm.

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