Support for Breakthrough Students and Fancy Meal Hits All-Time High

                                                                           
Fancy Meal Co-Chairs Jordan Beasley ’96 and Adam Davidson have done it again, setting a new record in supporting and rallying support for Breakthrough Fort Worth students! Stepping up to the plate for their third year of leading Breakthrough Fort Worth’s annual Fancy Meal fundraiser, the Davidsons started their 2021 event campaign in another COVID-19-influenced environment of yes … no ...  maybe … decision-making and planning.

“At the time, the vaccine was raising everyone’s hopes and spirits, yet we knew we weren’t out of the woods with the pandemic,” Jordan shared. “While it was a step of faith to plan the event itself, Adam and I were very confident that the community would be there to support the students. Wow – did they ever! Collectively, we raised a little more than $106,000, and we share pride with everyone in achieving this new fundraising milestone for the students.”

Deeply moved by the community’s response, Breakthrough’s Executive Director Joe Breedlove ’78 expressed, “Inspiring doesn’t fully cover all we feel about this show of support. For years, Fancy Meal has consistently raised $50,000-65,000 to cover summer expenses, and we have been so grateful for the care it represented. To grow to six figures over these past two years is a testament not only to Jordan and Adam as leaders, but to the heart of the community they united behind the students. We literally are in awe of this outpouring.”

When talking about Breakthrough, Breedlove is fond of saying, “Breakthrough is young people who choose to make a difference,” and that phrase launches the creed that all Breakthrough students recite by heart. The core purpose of the program is to empower public middle school students on a six-year path to college, many of them becoming first-generation college students in the process. As they progress through grades 7-12, Breakthrough’s supplementary enrichment programming readies students with academic support, college knowledge instruction, and character-driven leadership training that encompasses core values, team skills, and social coaching. 

This year, Fancy Meal guests had the opportunity to visit with three dozen Breakthrough alumni (now college students and graduates) who shared how important the program was to their journey. Even with lingering protocols, 149 guests and 36 alumni attended the luncheon at The Fort Worth Club. Conversations flowed, and the excitement of a long-awaited, in-person event was tangible.

As site host since 1992, FWCD and its Falcon family, friends and neighbors continue to lead as the most steadfast champions of Breakthrough Fort Worth students. Embodying that spirit of commitment, the Davidsons’ triumphs as Fancy Meal Chairs elevate that legacy of support and advocacy for the students. With Breakthrough Fort Worth expanding to two sites and recruiting and serving a second group of incoming students each year, that is a critical gift and example to gain.

“Breakthrough is such an amazing organization,” the Davidsons said. Every year, we are even more blown away by how much they do and how they impact these students’ lives. We were so grateful to have served for three years as the co-chairs for this event.” 

For more information, check out Giving at breakthroughfortworth.com.