Since its founding in 1971, Operation Breakthrough has provided much-needed services for low-income families.  The organization has made quality childcare its primary mission, and today Operation Breakthrough ensures that more than 600 children, aged six weeks through 17 years, are safe, supervised, fed, and educationally stimulated.  Additionally, Operation Breakthrough provides on-site medical care, mental health services, speech and occupational therapy, tutoring, mentoring, a food pantry, and other emergency aid and parenting education programs.

Moving toward fulfillment of their mission has created unique opportunities for Operation Breakthrough, and one of the most recent is the introduction of a new line of greeting cards, illustrated exclusively by the children served by the organization.  Each colorful card features art created by the children, and cards are packaged in four assortments… two for the holiday and two for everyday.  Each package contains eight cards and nine envelopes and are attractively priced at $10 per package.  Mail Print, Inc. generously donated the printing of the cards, enabling all proceeds to benefit the children of Operation Breakthrough.

Supporting Operation Breakthrough has never been easier, or more fun!  The cards, which also come in gift tag size for $5, are available online at www.operationbreakthrough.org, or a variety of retailers throughout the area, including Annedore’s, ARTichokes, Ceramic Cafe, Churchill, feng, 5B & Co. Candlemakers, Flowers by Design, Hollyday Aesthetics Spa, The Learning Tree, Mail Packages Etc., Pear Tree, Pryde’s Old Westport, RSVP in the Village, Reading Reptile, Shop Girls, and Webster House.  

In addition to the generosity of the retailers, volunteers planned and executed the entire greeting card project.  Melanie Bolin and Sarah Telford created the packaging and marketing of the cards.  Judy Bellemer, a retired art teacher, guided the children through their artwork, and Stephanie Lawrence completed the graphic design for the cards and marketing materials.

The greeting cards not only are a colorful and creative way to raise funds, but they are also an excellent outlet for the children’s creativity.  Additionally, the children feel the empowerment of enterprise and gain a stronger understanding of creating a product, marketing and selling it.  Buying Operation Breakthrough greeting cards is more than a purchase… it is an affirmation of the good work of the organization as well as the creativity the children.

Samples of the cards created by children from Operation Breakthrough.