CHANNEL 8 WMTW AND CAMP SUNSHINE PARTNER ON WINTER TELETHON
March 11th broadcast rallies Mainers to support children with life-threatening illnesses and their families
PORTLAND, Maine (February 25, 2026) – Channel 8 WMTW is proud to partner with Camp Sunshine for the Winter Telethon on Wednesday, March 11th, dedicated to supporting children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
The Winter Telethon will air LIVE on Channel 8 and Maine’s Total Coverage in the morning, noon and through our early evening coverage. Camp Sunshine families will share heartfelt stories and local businesses are stepping up to invest in hope.
While many think of Camp Sunshine as a summer destination, services and support extend year-round — providing families a safe place to recharge together with medical support available and at no cost to them. Thanks to donors and volunteers, every program remains 100% free for families.
Viewers can tune in throughout the day on March 11th and donate live during the broadcast. Every gift makes an immediate impact for families across Maine and beyond.
“This telethon is about more than fundraising — it’s about standing with families when they need it most,” said Dave Abel, President and General Manager of Channel 8 WMTW. “Camp Sunshine represents hope, resilience, and community at its best. We are honored to partner with them and to help ensure Maine families continue to have access to this extraordinary support system.”
Funds raised during the Winter Telethon will help:
- Meet the rising costs of sending families to Camp — while ensuring no family ever pays to attend.
- Strengthen and expand medical partnerships with leading hospitals.
- Reach new families who can benefit from Camp Sunshine’s community and care.
- Cover travel and transportation costs so distance is never a barrier to hope.
For many families, Camp Sunshine is more than a camp — it is a lifeline.
“Camp Sunshine exists so families facing unimaginable challenges don’t have to face them alone – it truly is where families find family,” said Joanne Bean, President & Chief Executive Officer of Camp Sunshine. “We are incredibly grateful for Channel 8’s partnership in bringing this mission to homes across Maine. Their commitment to sharing our families’ stories and rallying community support ensures that hope, connection, and care remain available year-round — completely free of charge.”
Turn compassion into action by visiting https://www.campsunshine.org/telethon for fundraising information.
About WMTW – WMTW is a digital multi-media company providing content to Channel 8 WMTW, Maine’s CW, WMTW.com MeTV Portland and Very Local, Our Maine specials and on the WMTW mobile app. WMTW produces over 45 hours of Maine’s Total Coverage and Maine’s Total Weather each week. Channel 8 has been honored with Emmy’s and MAB awards for Best Newscast, Best Weathercast, Best Sportscast and Best Election Coverage in New England and Maine plus Eight Regional Edward R. Murrow awards for the continuing pursuit of excellence in journalism. Maine’s Total Weather has been certified Maine’s Most Accurate Forecast for 8 years in a row. WMTW serves as the official television partner for the American Heart Association in Maine, Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri For A Cure, dozens of local events and over 30 seasons with the Portland Sea Dogs. Channel 8 WMTW, the ABC affiliate serves viewers across Southern Maine and eastern New Hampshire and is owned by Hearst Television, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst. Follow us on Facebook (wmtwtv) and on X (@wmtwtv).
About Hearst Television – Hearst Television owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching 24 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over more than 120 video channels including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, Estrella and more. The radio stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music listenership. Its Hearst Media Production Group unit produces original programming across linear and streaming platforms for domestic and international distribution. Its Very Local app, free to download on household OTT devices and available across popular streaming services, offers 24/7 access to local news, weather and an array of local and regional programming. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry’s premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst.
About Camp Sunshine – Camp Sunshine provides hope, joy and community through unique experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. At our pristine campus on Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine, more than 60,000 children, siblings, parents and caregivers from all 50 states and 27 countries have come together for fun-filled, year-round sessions with families just like theirs. And, thanks to the incredible support of donors and volunteers, our programs are 100% free. Camp Sunshine is where families can focus on recharging, together, in a safe space with medical support available. Camp Sunshine is where families discover a community who understands. Camp Sunshine is where families find family.
Media Contacts:
Matt Earl, WMTW, mearl@hearst.com, 207-835-3893
Kayley Walker, Camp Sunshine, kwalker@campsunshine.org, 207-655-3800