History’s Longest Running Radio Drama Series - - Unshackled! - - Will Be 55 Years Old on September 23
Posted Thursday, Sep 15, 2005 @ 2:38 pm by Pacific Garden Mission
Contact Information: Tony Rufo at (312) 922-1462
Organization's URL: http://www.pgm.org

• 2,860 different broadcasts have aired since September 23, 1950

Chicago, Sept. 15, 2005 (The Religion Wire™) — The month of September is notable to the Pacific Garden Mission, of Chicago for two important reasons. September 15, 2005, marked 128 years since its doors first opened in 1877. And, this September 23 marks the anniversary of the very first Unshackled! radio broadcast in 1950.

Former PGM Superintendent, the late Harry Saulnier, was a visionary. He wanted to present stories of lives changed at Pacific Garden Mission, so he aired a 15-minute program on Chicago radio station WAIT in 1945, entitled “Doorway to Heaven,” for a short time. On September 23, 1950, a group headed by writer/director John Gillies assembled in a WGN radio studio for the historic first broadcast of Unshackled! Adopting the format of the popular radio dramas of the day, the thirty-minute program featured its signature organ musical bridges and real sound effects from the outset.

The title was chosen to emphasize how a person’s life is changed…transformed from the shackles of the sin of wrong choices, disobedience and selfish motives, to the freedom of the Christian faith. They become UNSHACKLED! Years before they came into vogue, UNSHACKLED! was presenting “reality” programs based on stories of real people...real life stories...stirring, dramatic accounts of hopelessness, and the hope that changes everything. The durable, award-winning radio drama grips the heart with compelling and relevant stories.

After that first broadcast, the popularity of Unshackled! soon became apparent as hundreds of letters poured in each week. Because of WGN Radio’s powerful 50,000 watt clear-channel transmitter, listener response came from the eastern half of the US and Canada, and even from ships at sea in the Atlantic. From that one radio station, the program now airs over 6,500 times each week on over< 1600 radio stations and outlets in the US and around the world. In addition to the English broadcast, it is translated and re-dramatized in Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Korean and Japanese. Over the years, Unshackled! has presented 2860 different true to life episodes.

In that time, hundreds of professional actors have made the program a memorable listening experience.

In the early days, the program featured lives of people from skid row affected by alcohol and drug abuse. Names such as Casey Jones, Jimmy the Rat and Hattie Matthews were dramatized…prostitutes, mobsters, and criminals. Eventually, stories of others who were not necessarily down and out were featured…people such as Billy Sunday, who went from a famous, highly paid professional baseball player to an ardent evangelist. Today’s stories deal with issues such as abuse, abandonment, pornography, gambling, fear, lust, anger, sexual dysfunction and crime.

David McCarrell, PGM’s current Director, sees Unshackled! as a key component of the mission’s outreach as well as an important tool for support: “Because the program blesses so many people, we receive mail and gifts from all over the world. The program is a unique treasure in the annals of broadcasting.” He adds, “We have cared for millions of people since 1877. We do more than just house the homeless. We offer comprehensive programs that can make PGM a stepping stone to the betterment of lives. These include GED educational assistance, computer courses, and life skills training which help them create a resume, balance a checkbook, set goals, and manage their lives. All of this fits right in with Mayor Daley’s plan to end homelessness in Chicago.”

A new building is in the works. Mr. McCarrell adds, “When we move to our brand new state-of-the-art facility at 14th and Canal Streets in 2007, we will increase our capacity and have all our services under one roof. Currently, women and children are cared for at a separate facility on Grand Avenue. “We are not a soup kitchen, but a comprehensive care facility which addresses physical, spiritual and emotional needs. Chicago has benefited greatly from such comprehensive care…all provided by the generosity of the private sector.”

He is enthusiastic about the future of Pacific Garden Mission, adding, “There are some exciting things on the horizon as we develop plans for our new building. A Building Fund has been established and, in the coming months, Chicago will see some exciting opportunities for businesses, schools, churches and individuals to get involved.”

Pacific Garden Mission has cared for millions of homeless people of all races, creeds, and national origin on a non-discriminatory basis since its first day. No one is ever turned away. Its doors are open day and night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They have been open non-stop since September 15, 1877, an unbroken string of over 46,750 consecutive days, a period spanning the terms of 25 US presidents from Rutherford B. Hayes to George W. Bush.

For more information, to make a donation, or for an Unshackled! station log, contact Pacific Garden Mission at 312/922-1462, or visit www.pgm.org or www.unshackled.org..

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