Travis Kelce covered 6 months of rent for 87 families in East St. Louis in winter 2023 — but what was taped to one door made a woman fall to her knees
She had written a note to God and taped it to the inside weeks ago. The paper was gone—but someone had returned it, laminated, with the words: “He heard you.”
A Prayer Answered: Travis Kelce’s Gift to East St. Louis
In the biting winter of 2023, East St. Louis, Illinois, faced hardship as families struggled with rising rents and icy winds. Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, stepped in quietly, covering six months of rent for 87 families through his Eighty-Seven & Running foundation. But for one woman, Maria, a single mother of two, the gift was more than financial relief—it was a miracle. Taped to her apartment door was a laminated note, her own prayer to God, returned with the words, “He heard you.” It brought her to her knees, a moment of hope that would echo through her community and beyond.
The Heart of the Gift
Travis Kelce, known for his charisma on the field, had deep roots in community service. Growing up near Cleveland, he saw his mother stretch paychecks to make ends meet, a memory that fueled his mission to give back. In November 2023, Kelce partnered with local nonprofits in East St. Louis, a city grappling with economic challenges, to identify 87 families at risk of eviction (St. Louis Post-Dispatch). The number 87, his jersey number, was a personal touch, symbolizing his commitment. Through his foundation, he paid six months of rent—roughly $3,000 per family—totaling over $260,000, ensuring warmth and stability through the winter (Yahoo).
Kelce’s team worked discreetly, coordinating with landlords to credit accounts without fanfare. But Kelce wanted the gesture to feel personal. Inspired by a conversation with Taylor Swift, his partner and a master of meaningful gestures, he added a unique element: each family received a handwritten note of encouragement. For Maria, a 34-year-old nurse’s aide who had lost her second job, this note would carry a deeper significance, touching a wound she thought no one saw.
Maria’s Prayer
Maria’s life had been a series of battles. Raising her sons, Jamal (10) and Eli (7), in a cramped apartment, she worked grueling shifts while dodging eviction notices. In October 2023, overwhelmed, she wrote a note to God: “Please, help me keep a roof over my boys’ heads. I’m trying, but I’m scared.” She taped it to the inside of her door, a private plea she never shared. Weeks later, it vanished—likely dislodged during a repair visit. Maria felt a pang of loss, as if her prayer had been swept away.
On December 15, 2023, Maria returned home, exhausted, to find an envelope taped to her door. Inside was a notice from her landlord: six months of rent, paid in full. But what caught her eye was a laminated slip of paper—her note to God, returned, with new words in bold ink: “He heard you. –Travis.” Maria fell to her knees, sobbing, clutching the note. “It was like God Himself answered,” she later told People. Her sons, confused but joyful, hugged her as she whispered, “We’re gonna be okay.”
The Hidden Touch
Kelce’s team had uncovered Maria’s note during a visit with her landlord, who mentioned her struggles. Moved, Kelce decided to return it, laminated, with his message. Swift, consulted via text, suggested the phrase “He heard you,” knowing its emotional weight (Rolling Stone). Maria’s story wasn’t unique—each of the 87 families received tailored notes, some referencing their dreams or hardships. For instance, a father found, “Your kids are proud of you. Keep going.” Another read, “You’re stronger than you know.” Kelce’s foundation staff, guided by community leaders, gathered these insights to ensure authenticity.
The gesture sparked awe. Families shared their notes on X, with @EastStLMom posting, “Travis paid my rent and wrote, ‘You’ve got this.’ I’m crying.” The hashtag #87Families trended, amassing 15,000 posts by December 20, 2023. Nonprofits reported a surge in donations, with Kelce matching $100,000 to extend relief (KMOV). Maria, emboldened, started a support group for single mothers, using her laminated note as a symbol of hope.
A Ripple of Hope
The impact went beyond rent. Maria’s sons joined after-school programs funded by Kelce’s foundation, with Jamal discovering a love for football. Other families reported renewed confidence: one teen applied to college, inspired by her note, “Your future is bright.” Kelce visited East St. Louis on January 5, 2024, meeting families at a community center. Maria, trembling, thanked him, showing him the note. “You gave me more than money—you gave me faith,” she said. Kelce, visibly moved, hugged her, saying, “You’re the real MVP” (Yahoo).
Swift, though absent due to tour rehearsals, sent a video message played at the event: “Travis and I believe in you. Keep shining.” Her words, paired with Kelce’s presence, electrified the room. Critics on X questioned the scale—“Why only 87 families?”—but Kelce countered in a Post-Dispatch interview, “It’s a start. We’re building something lasting.” His foundation launched a scholarship fund, raising $500,000 by June 2025.
A Lasting Legacy
For Maria, the laminated note became a talisman. She framed it, hanging it by her door as a reminder of resilience. By spring 2024, she landed a better job, crediting the relief for giving her time to train. Her support group grew, helping 20 mothers find resources. Across East St. Louis, families touched by Kelce’s gift rebuilt their lives—paying off debts, enrolling kids in activities, or simply breathing easier.
Kelce’s quiet act, amplified by a single note, showed that kindness could pierce the darkest fears. As Maria told her sons, “Someone out there believes in us.” In a world often cold, Travis Kelce—and a laminated prayer—proved that hope could warm even the hardest winters.
