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For the past 15 years, local residents have been tuning into KSAR Channel 15 as a source of information and entertainment. Several use it as an outlet for voicing opinions. Many flip to the channel to catch educational programs and to recapture community events such as the Mustard Walk, the annual Celebrate Saratoga! and the grand reopening celebration of the Saratoga Library. The station has served the community in several ways, but with ongoing budget cuts and their impacts on financial resources, it is turning to community members and local organizations for support.
In January, KSAR board members launched the Angel Club Membership program in an effort to raise funds to keep the station's operations in line with current standards.
The program benefits both the station and club members, said Murray Dolmatch, KSAR board member and producer of the program. Depending on the level of membership—silver, gold or platinum— members can get their organization or business's name, photo, address and phone number aired on the channel's bulletin board several times throughout the week, in between shows, for the whole year.
Certain fees are associated with each level. A $1,000 contribution would land members at the silver mark; $2,000 would put members at the gold level and a $5,000 contribution would be considered platinum level.
To date, the program has raised almost $5,000 in grants from the Saratoga Rotary Club and support from the owner of The Inn at Saratoga. The station's executive director, Carolyn Delossantos, said this was enough to purchase new field gears, which can run up to $1,500 apiece.
"People are not contributing as much because of the tough economy," said Dolmatch.
To accommodate those who would like to become members but are unable to due to financial constraints, membership fees are in the process of being reworked. Potentially, the silver, gold and platinum levels will be reduced to $250, $500 and $1,000, respectively.
Saratoga City Manager and board member Dave Anderson said this is different from advertising, which is not allowed for a noncommercial or nonprofit organization, because the station is not promising members a fixed amount of television exposure. In addition, the donations are tax deductible.
"We've raised the bar in our production level throughout the years," Delossantos said. "But it would be nice to see the organization grow. To do so takes a lot of money, which we don't have much of."
According to Delossantos, the station is currently operating on a budget of less than $100,000, a number which Dolmatch described as being "miniscule." A large portion of the funds the station receives is from AT&T grants, but it also gets financial support from West Valley College and the city.
As a result of the cuts, Delossantos said she's had to slash the production budget and has had to hold off on equipment acquisition and repairs.
"The station is always in need of upgrades and newer technology," she said. "And with limited funding, it's hard to get even the basic television equipment, such as a lighting grid and a sound board."
Delossantos added that with additional funds, she hopes to offer more training classes for those interested in learning about the production field in the broadcasting industry. Classes were offered several years back, but had to be taken away due to lack of funding sources and trainers. Also, with a larger budget, the station will be able to cover more community events.
In addition, with more funds in the spending pot, Dolmatch said the station would be able to air a series of classic films such as Blue Angels, A Farewell to Arms and To Kill A Mockingbird, as discussed in previous meetings.
"The station is vital to the community," Dolmatch said. "It's important to keep it going. Hopefully the program will help solve the funding issue."
For more information about the program, contact Carolyn Delossantos at 408.741.2108.
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