Tickets for the November 28 Halifax show are available now at www.dal.ca/artscentre or by calling (902) 494 3820 or 1-800-874-1669

Tom Jackson is a true Renaissance man, known for his multifaceted career as a singer-songwriter, actor, and dedicated activist. However, it's his extraordinary philanthropic efforts that have left an indelible mark on the world. Since the 1980s, Jackson has tirelessly worked to make the world a better place, raising an astonishing estimated $250 million in cash and in-kind donations for food banks and disaster relief efforts. He has become a symbol of hope and generosity, using his talent and platform to effect change on a grand scale.

Singer-songwriter, actor and activist Tom Jackson is once again hitting the road for charity. The 74-year-old, whose philanthropic efforts have raised an estimated $250 million in cash and in-kind food banks and disaster relief since the 80s, will launch his national Stories, Songs & Santa Causes tour Nov. 24 in Edmonton and wrap up on Dec. 16 in St. John’s.

Sponsored by Canada Life — the 26th year of their support — the pre-holiday concerts feature an evening of original music, sing-along tunes, and signature Christmas music from master storyteller, Tom Jackson; BC Country Music Association hall-of-fame producer, Tom McKillip; and award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis begins November 24.

“Stories, Songs & Santa Causes is about the why not the what. For us, the why is to make you happy, because healthy is happy, and happy is healthy. This show is designed to get you out of your funk, and for you to help us save lives. The ‘why’ is what separates us from others. Buy a ticket, save lives. Stories, Songs & Santa Causes is about giving a gift,” says Tom.

Catching up with Tom Jackson at his home in Western Canada, you can feel his heart, soul and commitment to telling the story of ‘215’ just by his voice.

“This story has to be not only told but told over and over again. We need to keep the momentum and movement going in order to find a way to heal and find reconciliation. This is a bittersweet and poignant time in history for the Indigenous First Nations people. This time has to be a lesson for all Canadians – and we need to forgive but not forget.’

Jackson is talking, of course, about the horrifying event in the Summer of 2021, the discovery of 215 unmarked graves near Kamloops, of Residential School children. The Nation was shocked but it is a story many of us knew about but it somehow has been buried in the past. Since then, thousands of more graves have been discovered.

For 32 Christmases Tom Jackson’s Huron Carole has been a staple in Canada, touring the country bringing cheer and hope to the nation. But with the current pandemic, what will happen to Year 33? The need to social distance and travel limitations made for a huge obstacle in continuing this tradition.

Festivals and live events were being cancelled and postponed across the board but this was Tom Jackson we are talking about here. Tom is no stranger to stones in the road and fallen trees in his path. We caught up with him at his home in Calgary and the calmness and sense of resolve in his voice is something that soothes the nerves and gives a sense that every problem has a solution.