Our Story
How We Work
Create and collect cards & gifts for our kids to encourage them on their health journey.
What started as a small Facebook group of friends and family sending cards to children across the country has grown into a thriving nonprofit serving children throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Today, Operation Surprise Attack partners with schools, churches, businesses, youth organizations, and community members to collect thousands of handmade and heartfelt cards through four annual encouragement campaigns. But we don't stop with cards. We believe in surprising families with an overwhelming outpouring of love and support. When resources allow, we provide financial assistance, grocery gift cards, family experiences such as movie tickets, and other thoughtful gifts to help ease the burden that often accompanies a child's serious illness. During the Christmas season, generous sponsors adopt our families, providing gifts for every child in the household and creating joyful memories during an incredibly difficult time.
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Major Campaigns Every Year
Where it started
Operation Surprise Attack began nearly 20 years ago with one simple idea: no child facing a serious medical journey should ever feel alone. When our founder's young nephew was born with spina bifida, she imagined how meaningful it would be for him to receive cards filled with encouragement from people who cared.
What we saw
Around the same time, she saw the incredible outpouring of love shown to a young boy with pediatric cancer whose family had asked for cards from around the world. Witnessing the comfort and hope those simple acts of kindness brought inspired her to begin collecting cards for children facing their own health battles.
What every card says
Every card, every gift, every act of kindness carries the same message: You are seen. You are loved. You are not alone. That mission continues to guide everything we do as we attack fear and isolation with hope, encouragement, and compassion, one surprise at a time.
Late 2000s
Where It All Began
It started with one child in Toledo. After finding his family, Lisa asked friends and family to help brighten his day by sending cards. Nearly 70 cards arrived, and a simple act of kindness became something much bigger. In the years that followed, Lisa continued finding local children and families through Facebook, reaching out and supporting them one family at a time.
The Turning Point
These Kids Believe in Me
At 17, one of our recipients had relapsed with cancer and decided he couldn’t endure treatment again. Then a local school sent him nearly 450 handmade cards. After spending hours reading every one, he came out of his room and told his mom, “These kids believe in me. If they believe I can do it, I’m going to try one last time.”
He returned to treatment and beat cancer. Years later, his mom shared that he is now married with a family of his own, and she still believes those cards helped save her son’s life.
2021
Operation Surprise Attack Becomes Official
In November 2021, Operation Surprise Attack officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, turning years of grassroots kindness into an organization built to serve even more families. Since then, OSA has supported nearly 100 families and continues to grow through the dedication of our board, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
Today
Love in Action, All Year Long
Through four seasonal campaigns each year, Operation Surprise Attack surrounds children facing serious and rare health challenges with love and support. Our community comes together through cards, gifts, gift cards, and financial assistance, creating personalized surprises that our team delivers directly to each family.
Our Board
Meet the people behind the surprises.
Lisa Fulton
Founder & President
Lisa Fulton
Founder & President
- Started Operation Surprise Attack for her nephew, then kept going for everyone else's kids.
Kevin Strayer
Treasurer
Kevin Strayer
Treasurer
- Keeps the books, reviews the cards, and cooks at the fundraisers.
Melanie Lamb
Board Secretary
Melanie Lamb
Board Secretary
- A social worker raising two daughters with chronic illness, so she knows the isolation firsthand.
Czaria Packer
Special Projects Coordinator
Czaria Packer
Special Projects Coordinator
- Works in youth mental health by day and runs OSA's special projects and outreach.
Jennifer Sudlow
Board Member & Events and Community Outreach Coordinator
Jennifer Sudlow
Board Member & Events and Community Outreach Coordinator
- 25 years in healthcare, now planning the fundraisers and calling the schools.
Terry Crosby
Community Engagement Liaison
Terry Crosby
Community Engagement Liaison
- Toledo native and former NBA player who opens doors at the schools.
FAQs
Your Questions Answered
Learn more about who we serve, what happens during a Surprise Attack, and how you can be part of making a difference.
