Travis Kelce gets emotional as he talks about his 87 & Running foundation's work for youth in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS: Travis Kelce couldn’t be happier after witnessing the impact his foundation is having on local youth in Kansas City.
The NFL star appeared on the ‘Chiefs Kingdom Show’ podcast on Monday, November 11, and talked about his 87 & Running foundation with host Mitch Holthus.
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Travis Kelce reflects on his philanthropic endeavor
Travis Kelce's organization has collaborated with Operation Breakthrough education center to help children living in poverty in Kansas City.
The Chief's tight-end called it "one of the coolest places that I've ever seen or been a part of," on the radio show, per People.
He explained, "They literally have kids from preschool all the way to 8th grade, and they’re making sure these kids have meals, a safe haven; they get their education, they have good guidance and mentors."
Kelce also recalled his first day of visit to Operation Breakthrough, quite close to Arrowhead Stadium, "It was for Dr Seuss's birthday and I was reading to the kids."
The tight-end picked the ‘Cat in the Hat’ for reading, "And when I tell you that I hadn't read a Dr Seuss book in forever...I was over there trying to read these things just like these pre-schoolers were," the athlete joked.
"It was beautiful to see what that organization was doing for those kids. And it was a little unsettling at the end when I found out that the program stopped at eighth grade," praised Kelce.
Travis Kelce stresses importance of learning skills for a livelihood
Travis Kelce started the Ignition Lab with Operation Breakthrough in 2021 and offered programming for students beyond school.
In other words, interested students aged between 14 and 18 can train themselves with skills, such as graphic design, automotive repair, and cooking to earn a livelihood.
Remembering his own high school years, Kelce said that those "were such a big part of my development and who I am as a person. I was so fortunate that I had the people around me and the environment around me to make sure I was doing the right things."
Kelce will next appear for the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, November 18, against the Buffalo Bills.
