A week before Christmas, Mary Esselman received a call from Taylor Swift’s team. The artist intended to donate $250,000 to the Kansas City-based organization, Operation Breakthrough, which Esselman leads.

“Our kids were really excited,” the CEO recalls. “We asked if they’d like to do something special to thank her, and we had many enthusiastic participants.”

The children at Operation Breakthrough—a nonprofit that offers essential programs and childcare for low-income families—made a one-minute video expressing their gratitude to Swift for her generous donation.

“Thank you, Taylor,” a girl says at the beginning of the video, forming a heart shape with her hands.

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Swift’s donation will support three key initiatives: the workforce development and entrepreneurship program featuring ten labs for industry skills, the before and after school program providing childcare to families during non-school hours, and the early learners initiative.

“We have 432 children, from birth to 5 years old, who attend daily for early education and care,” Esselman shares regarding the early learners initiative. “Our aim is to ensure each child is ready when they start school.”

Ending a Decade

Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, has been a supporter and advocate for Operation Breakthrough for a decade. His first visit was shortly after Esselman began her role as CEO.

“He came to Read Across America Day,” she remembers. “He read to preschool classrooms… and continued coming back.”

In a YouTube clip shared by the Kansas City Star, the tight end, sporting his Chiefs jersey and a festive stovepipe hat, reads Dr. Seuss’s “Cat in the Hat.”

Since his initial visit in March 2015, Kelce has consistently supported the organization. Each year, he sponsors the “87 and Running” robotics team, bought a muffler shop for the high school workforce development initiative in 2020, and recently drove a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle, which students converted to an all-electric vehicle, to his game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 8.

“He’s just a down-to-earth person,” Esselman says. “He would come over the years without any media presence just to connect with the kids after school. A few times, he hosted pizza parties. The children regard him as a regular guy who remembers their names.”

Although Swift hasn’t yet visited Operation Breakthrough—unlike her recent trip to Children’s Mercy Hospital—there will be many chances in the future as she spends more time in Kansas City.

“Perhaps one day she’ll join Travis,” Esselman says, “but we’re extremely grateful that she chose us for such a wonderful gift.”