With Chief’s victory, Operation Breakthrough is in the spotlight. Here’s what they do
The Kansas City Chiefs and Operation Breakthrough have more in common than you may know. Operation Breakthrough is a nonprofit day care center and social service organization in Kansas City.
During the Superbowl, Will Shields, former Chiefs football player and current Community Central South Director at NFL Legends, which supports players community service efforts, rocked an Operation Breakthrough shirt and put a spotlight on the organization.
“HUGE shoutout to our friend @willshieldsiii for highlighting Operation Breakthrough on the biggest stage!” Operation Breakthrough said in an Instagram post.
Operation Breakthrough has been taking care of youth in Kansas City since 1971. Located at 31st Street and Troost Avenue, the organization serves more than 700 students per week and also offers health services and emergency aid to low-income families in the city.
The organization also works closely with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who has used his platform and his nonprofit 87 and Running to fundraise and support the organization’s efforts.
In 2021, Kelce won the NFL’s Man of the Year award for his work in the community, including his work to support Operation Breakthrough where his foundation hosts an annual fashion show to raise money for the nonprofit day care.
“Helping out Kansas City is just fun, you know?” Kelce told The Star in 2017. The city “is so involved in their football and being a team-first type of community. That’s something I want to give back to, considering how much they give us.”
In a wager between mayors, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney made a bet with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas that the mayor of the losing team would donate to a charity in the opponent’s city and send over local treats and delicacies.
Lucas selected Operation Breakthrough as his choice nonprofit.
“We look forward to the Philly delights and will put you in touch with [Operation Breakthrough], a nonprofit helping out our kids and families,” Lucas said in a tweet to Philadelphia Mayor Kenney.
Chiefs giving back to KC
Beyond Operation Breakthrough, Chiefs players have supported many community charities and nonprofits. Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi sponsors free pet adoptions at KC Pet Project. The partnership will pay for the adoption fees of 264 dogs, according to a statement from KC Pet Project.
Star Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also has a strong charitable presence in the community. He established the Mahomes Foundation in 2019 and supports a variety of charities, including Big Brothers, Big Sisters Kansas; Harvesters Community Food Network; and the Sunflower House in Shawnee.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly placed $15 on the Chiefs to win it all on Sept. 1 – the first legal sports bet in Kansas after the Legislature approved and Kelly signed a bill to implement sports gambling last year.
At 10-1 odds, her winnings are $150. Kelly announced Monday that she will donate $165 – the winnings as well as the original amount wagered — to 15 and the Mahomies Foundation.
“It turns out the Chiefs are always a good bet,” Kelly said in a statement.