Tag archives: Barbara Tellefson

Barbara Tellefson
By Montecito Journal   |   February 4, 2021

1936-2020 Immigrant daughter from humble beginnings internalized her family’s “Lessons to Live By” and became a community hero by dedicating her life to serving people in crisis Unity Shoppe lost our matriarch and founder, Barbara Tellefson, after a brief bout with an aggressive illness. She was 84. Barbara’s singular focus and half-century of devotion to […]

Remembering Barbara Tellefson
By Montecito Journal   |   December 17, 2020

Pound for pound, or rather inch for inch, it’s doubtful that Santa Barbara has ever had a more hardworking, tireless, dedicated, and effective advocate for the underprivileged than Barbara Tellefson. The founder and president of Santa Barbara’s Unity Shoppe, who passed away at 84 on November 22, was an undeniable dynamo whose stature and influence […]

The Christmas Tree Has Arrived
By Sharon Byrne   |   December 17, 2020

Hospice Santa Barbara has installed our Christmas tree in the Upper Village for the third year in a row, and Light Up A Life takes place December 16 at 6 pm. We will be well into Hanukkah, and closing in on the Winter Solstice on December 21, the longest night of the year. Light Up […]

Goodbye to a Unique Lady
By Richard Mineards   |   December 10, 2020

On a personal note I remember Barbara Tellefson, founder and president of the Unity Shoppe, who lost her valiant battle with a terminal illness aged 84. A woman of extraordinary fortitude and passion, Barbara was without doubt a force of nature who devoted her life to the century-old nonprofit, working innumerable hours directing operations for […]

Show of Appreciation
By Richard Mineards   |   April 18, 2019

Popular Santa Barbara charity, the Unity Shoppe, hosted an appreciation lunch for more than 100 senior volunteers at La Casa Nichita, the historic Mission Canyon home of veteran supporter Barbara Tellefson. “Last year was a very trying time for us,” Barbara tells me. “Disaster relief cost us more than $300,000, which severely depleted our funds, […]

Gift Shop Keeps on Giving
By Richard Mineards   |   October 4, 2018

The Unity Shoppe, which recently celebrated its centennial, isn’t resting on its laurels. The popular charity, which eight months ago opened a 4,000-sq.-ft. gift shop at 1209 State Street, opposite the Granada, which also includes a senior resource center, has now opened a 3,000-sq.-ft. furniture and clothing store just a coat hanger’s hurl away at […]

State of the Unity
By Richard Mineards   |   February 22, 2018

Unity Shoppe is on the move! After 15 years at 1219 State Street, the popular charity has moved just a tiara’s toss down the road to new premises at 1209, a former antiques store. The new shop is 4,900 sq. ft., which longtime executive Barbara Tellefson says gives them more room for storage and a […]