Today is Blog Action Day! Dude, what’s that you ask? It’s simple: It’s one day of the year bloggers across the world agree to discuss and blog about one single issue - “poverty”. The goal is aim to raise awareness, initiate action. (p.s. last year’s topic was “the environment”).

This year’s topic couldn’t be anymore PERFECT because the benefit party I’m planning is actually dedicated to Operation Breakthrough. They are an organization here in Kansas City who assists children who are living in poverty. They provide them a safe environment to learn and have fun. I wanted to share a little bit about this great organization and all the great things that they do.

Here’s some fast facts about Operation Breakthrough:

• At any given time 25% of Operation Breakthrough’s children are homeless and 25% are in foster care. Many are in need of therapeutic services due to language development delays, sensory integration problems, and/or traumas associated with an unstable home environment.

• Operation Breakthrough began 35 years ago when a group of working-poor parents in the central city voiced their need for child care to Sister Corita and Sister Sailer.

• Operation Breakthrough only receives half its funding from government sources - city, state and federal. Grants from foundations and corporate and individual donations make up the rest. Without private support, Operation Breakthrough would be unable to offer its many service programs.

When I had a chance to visit Operation Breakthrough — seeing the faces and hearing the stories of what these children are experiencing was one of those moments in life when a hard, loud, sobering feeling hits your soul. It made me realize that so many things I’m fortunate to experience and be able to the things I do in my life. I’ve made a commitment really to helping O.B. after seeing how PASSIONATE the employees were and how they were really able to help make a huge difference in each of these kids lives (if you’ve read my motivational blog post before, you know I’m a big a big fan of passion).

I’m a huge proponent of Kansas City and what a great city it is, being a local organization — this is vital to several families and their well being. While poverty exists throughout the U.S. and the world, supporting a local organization that really is making a dent is little to ask for anyone who’s fortunate and able to give back anything they can — whether it be time, physical effort or money.

Check them out! They’ve got this great video on their website too. Annnnnd don’t forget to attend on December 12th — the 4th Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Psssssst, our website will be launching soon!
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