Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelley Khoury.
Hi Kelley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Operation Birthday started five years ago with a simple belief: every child deserves to feel celebrated on their birthday, regardless of their family’s circumstances.
What began as an idea has grown into something we never could have fully imagined. Over the past five years, Operation Birthday has helped celebrate 1,500 children, that’s roughly one child every 30 hours. Each child receives a customized Birthday Kit based on their individual interests and needs, giving families the opportunity to create a birthday filled with excitement, smiles, and memories without the added financial stress.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that Operation Birthday has remained completely volunteer-run. My husband, Tony, and I cover the organization’s fixed operating expenses ourselves, which allows 100% of every donation to go directly toward celebrating kids. With each Birthday Kit costing approximately $100, our supporters have helped provide roughly $150,000 in birthday experiences over the last five years.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every one of those 1,500 celebrations is a child who deserves to feel seen, special, and important. There is also a parent who gets to experience the joy of celebrating their child without worrying about how they are going to afford it.
Reaching five years has given me a chance to reflect on just how far Operation Birthday has come. What started with the hope of making a difference for a few children has become a community of donors, volunteers, supporters, family and friends who continue to show up and make this mission possible.
There is still so much more we want to do. As we enter our next five years, our goal remains exactly the same as it was on day one: bring more smiles, create more happy memories, and make sure more children know that their birthday (and they) matter.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of our biggest challenges has simply been keeping up with the need while remaining a completely volunteer-run organization. Every Birthday Kit is customized for an individual child, which makes what we do incredibly special, but it also takes a tremendous amount of time, coordination and resources.
Funding is always a challenge as well. At approximately $100 per Birthday Kit, celebrating 1,500 children means our supporters have helped us put roughly $150,000 directly toward kids over the past five years. We never want finances to be the reason we have to say no to a child, so continuing to build awareness and support for our mission is incredibly important.
There have certainly been moments when balancing Operation Birthday with careers, families and everyday life has been difficult. But every time we receive a photo, message or note from a family telling us what their child’s birthday meant to them, it reminds us exactly why we keep going. Five years later, the challenges are still there but so is our commitment.
As you know, we’re big fans of Operation Birthday. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
What sets Operation Birthday apart is how intentionally we approach every celebration. 100% of every donation directly impacts a child, with our founders covering the organization’s fixed operating expenses so donations can stay focused on the kids.
While our mission is centered around celebrating children, it is equally important to us that we protect the dignity of their parents. Instead of deciding what a child should receive, we allow parents to design their child’s Birthday Kit based on their interests, wants and needs. They know their child best, and we want them to remain at the center of creating that special day.
We also include an opportunity for feedback with every Birthday Kit. Listening to the families we serve helps us understand what is working, where we can improve and whether we are truly meeting their needs. After five years and 1,500 children, we continue to learn, evolve and make every decision with the families we serve at the heart of it.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Unfortunately, I believe organizations like Operation Birthday will be needed more than ever over the next 5–10 years. With the rising cost of everyday necessities and the steady flow of layoffs we continue to see, more families are finding themselves needing help, sometimes for the first time. It’s heartbreaking to know that something as simple as celebrating a child’s birthday can become an added financial stress for a parent.
One of the biggest positive shifts, however, is technology, particularly AI. As a completely volunteer-run organization, time is one of our most valuable resources. Embracing AI has allowed us to streamline tasks that once took hours, giving us more time to focus on the work that truly matters: supporting families, growing our impact and celebrating more children.
I believe the future of nonprofits will require both, continuing to lead with compassion and human connection while embracing technology that allows us to work smarter and make an even greater impact with the resources we have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.operationbirthday.org
