On December 8, Unity Shoppe held its 32nd annual Unity Telethon to support its programs that serve low-income members of the community. As always, the telethon was a merry, festive event abounding with enthusiastic community members and stars contributing their time, talent, and money for this critically important organization.
Held at Unity’s Chapala Street facility, the focus of this year’s telethon was Unity’s disaster services. It was broadcast live on KEYT and featured performances by Kenny Loggins, Brad Paisley and the Pacific Sound Chorus. The telethon featured Loggins performing both onsite and at the Teen Sing for Santa Barbara concert, which earlier this year raised $65,000 for Unity’s programs to assist Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow victims. Jeff Bridges, another longtime supporter, was on hand for a couple of hours, praising this unique organization. Brad Paisley has been so inspired by Unity Shoppe, especially the way it empowers clients and volunteers, that he and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, are opening a store in Nashville modeled after it.
The telethon had interviews with many community members and luminaries like Anne Smith Towbes, Beverley Jackson, and George Leis. As always, it involved a multitude of businesses, schools, community groups, and individuals volunteering their time and talent and making donations.