Operation Breakthrough, a Kansas City-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children from low-income families, is eagerly hoping to welcome Taylor Swift to their campus after the superstar’s remarkable $250,000 donation.
A week before Christmas, Mary Esselman, the CEO of Operation Breakthrough, received an unexpected call from Swift’s team, informing her of the generous contribution. The organization, which provides quality childcare and educational programs for underserved children, was overjoyed by the news.
“Our kids were pretty excited,” Esselman shared. “We asked them if they wanted to do a little thank you, and you could see we had a lot of enthusiastic participants.”
Children’s Heartfelt Thanks
To show their appreciation, the children of Operation Breakthrough recorded a heartfelt one-minute video expressing their gratitude to Swift. The video, shared on the organization’s social media platforms, features the kids enthusiastically thanking the pop icon for her generosity.
The donation will be allocated to three key programs:
- Workforce Development and Entrepreneurship Program
This program, which includes 10 industry-focused labs, helps high school students learn valuable trade skills to prepare for future careers. - Before and After School Program
Providing critical childcare for families outside regular school hours, this program ensures parents can work while their children are cared for in a safe environment. - Early Learners Program
Serving 432 children from birth to five years old, this initiative focuses on early education and development to ensure every child is ready to succeed when they start school.
“Our goal is to make sure every child enters school ready,” Esselman explained, highlighting the impact of Swift’s contribution on the youngest members of the community.
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A Kelce Connection
Swift’s generous donation is believed to be inspired by her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who has been a longtime supporter of Operation Breakthrough. Kelce first visited the campus shortly after Esselman became CEO and has since been a consistent advocate for the organization.
Over the past decade, Kelce has provided significant support through his “87 and Running” foundation, sponsoring a robotics team and funding the high school workforce development program. In 2020, he purchased a former muffler shop to expand opportunities for students in workforce development.
Given Kelce’s deep involvement, Esselman is optimistic that Swift might join him for a visit in the future.
“Maybe one of these times she’ll pop along with Travis,” Esselman said. “We couldn’t be more grateful that she selected us for such a special gift.”
Transformative Impact
Swift’s donation comes at a crucial time, helping Operation Breakthrough continue its mission of empowering children and their families. The organization’s holistic approach—addressing early education, career preparation, and family support—has made a lasting impact on the Kansas City community.
For Esselman and the children of Operation Breakthrough, Swift’s generosity is not just a financial gift but a symbol of hope and recognition for their efforts.
“Her support means the world to us,” Esselman said. “It inspires not only the kids but the entire community to keep pushing for a brighter future.”
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their next game, fans of both Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are left wondering: will the Grammy-winning artist make a surprise visit to see the work her donation is helping achieve? Whether or not that happens, one thing is clear—her contribution has already made a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of children.
