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Unity Shoppe broadcast video collection
SBHC Mss 136
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Title: Unity Shoppe broadcast video collection
Identifier/Call Number: SBHC Mss 136
Language of Material:
English.
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Physical Description:
24.33 Linear Feet
(105 DVDs, 230 videocassettes (U-Matic, Betacam, VHS), 2 one-inch video reels)
Date (inclusive): 1986-2012
Abstract: The collection contains video recordings of raw footage, airchecks, and promotional materials related to the annual Unity
Shoppe Christmas (Holiday) Telethon as well as other recordings made by the organization.
Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
The collection is open for research. Audiovisual materials must be reformatted for access. Please contact the Department of
Special Research Collections in advance to request access.
Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through
the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to
the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator
and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.
All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department
of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of
California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is
not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright
owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
[Identification of Item], Unity Shoppe broadcast video collection, SBHC Mss 136. Department of Special Research Collections,
UC Santa Barbara Library.
Gift of Angela Miller-Bevan, Unity Shoppe, 2023.
Unity Shoppe History
Unity Shoppe is a Santa Barbara based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free essential services to residents impacted
by temporary conditions of poverty, natural disaster, or health crisis. The volunteer organization was established by Dr.
Pearl Chase and Dr. Hazel Severy in 1917 as three committees – The Christmas Basket Committee, Christmas Stocking Committee,
and Community Christmas Committee. In 1936 the volunteers voted to merge the committees into a single organization, The Council
of Christmas Cheer, to avoid duplicating work done by other charitable organizations. The CCC coordinated the donation and
distribution of food, clothing, and toys to families in need during the holiday season. Barbara Tellefson (1936-2020) joined
the board of directors in 1976 and was elected President in 1977. This began decades of service with the CCC. In the 1980s
the Council opened a shopping area for donated items that allowed parents to "shop" for their children's Christmas presents
as in a regular store as well as a toyshop where they could create their own gifts. During this time period, the Council became
involved in year-round charitable activities alongside other local charitable groups. In 1987 the Council became the Unity
Shoppe and collaborated with musician Kenny Loggins and KEYT-TV to host a fundraising telethon. The Council hosted their first
telethon on December 13, 1987 along with other fundraising events. Under the leadership of Tellefson, the organization continued
to host annual fundraising telethons with KEYT-TV as well as expand their year-round charitable offerings, including responding
to local emergencies and natural disasters.
Telethon History
The idea of an annual telethon emerged in 1987 when singer and songwriter Kenny Loggins, already a partner and supporter of
the Council, met with KETY-TV to propose a telethon that would benefit the collaborative efforts of local charitable organizations
during the Christmas season. He wanted to support all these organizations, but this was not feasible given their number. He
was intitally approached by Barbara Tellefson about working together and the two hatched the idea of the telethon. The underlying
premise of this new fundraiser was to unite local charitable efforts to assure everyone received assistance through eliminating
duplication of services. The funds generated by the telethon were to be distributed among all the agencies who participated.
The telethon was described as a, "collective Holiday Gift to our community" and was initially named, "The Christmas Unity
Telethon". In its first iteration, the telethon solicited funds for Catholic Charities, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County,
Afro-American Community Services, Toys for Tots, RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Programs), the Salvation Army and the Council
for Christmas Cheer. KETY-TV agreed to contribute on-air promotions of fundraising events and profiles of the charities involved,
"KETY was introduced to Kenny Loggins when he approached us with the idea of Christmas Unity as an umbrella project for all
of the charitable organizations in the community working toward a joint purpose to raise money, food, clothing and toys for
the needy in Santa Barbara during the holiday season." (Sandra Benton, Vice President and General Manager of KEYT-TV). Once
Unity Shoppe began providing services year around, the telethon served as a major source of Unity's operating budget. Over
the years, an increasing number of local businesses have donated, volunteered and made referrals to Unity Shoppe, furthering
their goal of a community approach to providing assistance to individuals in need.
Sources
Unity Shoppe: A 90-Year History of Community Giving! by Unity Shoppe, Inc.
Unity Shoppe Brief History - https://unityshoppe.org/the-history-of-unity/(accessed on 8/1/2023)
Barbara Tellefson Obituary - https://www.independent.com/2021/02/25/barbara-tellefson-1936-2020/(accessed on 8/2/23)
The yearly holiday broadcast includes a telethon, interviews of donors, testimonials, tours of and information about the Shoppe's
services and musical performances from local and celebrity musicians. KEYT anchors and reporters conduct the interviews such
as Paula Lopez, John Palminteri, and Lance Orozco. A long list of celebrities, including Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe, Katy Perry
and Brad Paisley, have contributed to the broadcast over the years along with long-time supporter Kenny Loggins. Broadcasts
from 1995, 2007, and 2010 are missing and content from 2005 and 2012 is limited.
The collection is divided into four series.
Series I: Unity Shoppe Telethon videos, 1980s
Series II: Unity Shoppe Telethon videos, 1990s
Series III: Unity Shoppe Telethon videos, 2000-2012
Series IV: Other Unity Shoppe Videos, 1986 - 2008. The telethon series are in chronological order starting with the first 1987 broadcast
of the telethon and ending with the telethon of December 2012.
Published works have been separated for cataloging, and may be accessed through the UC Santa Barbara Library online catalog.
Unity Shoppe: A 90-Year History of Community Giving by Unity Shoppe, Inc.
Related Collections at UCSB Library Special Research Collections
- Community Development and Conservation Collection, SBHC Mss 1. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library.
- Pearl Chase oral history, OH 115. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Nonprofit organizations -- California -- Santa Barbara -- Archives
Charities -- California -- Santa Barbara -- Archives
Telethons -- California -- Santa Barbara -- Archives
Celebrities -- California -- Santa Barbara -- Interviews
Video recordings
Unity Shoppe -- Archives
KEYT (Television station : Santa Barbara, Calif.) -- Archives