13abc Covered Ayanna's Campaign, Our Biggest Yet

A reporter contacted Ayanna's mom while the campaign was running, and the surprise still held.

13abc Covered Ayanna's Campaign, Our Biggest Yet
Editor
Lisa Fulton
Lisa Fulton
Category
In the News
Date
Jun 30, 26
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Key points

  • 13abc reporter Alexis Means reached out to Ayanna's mom directly after seeing a post.
  • Lisa met Ayanna at the hospital for the interview, in an OSA shirt.
  • The delivery was so large it happened at a Metropark, and the family needed two cars.
  • Channel 11 covered a boy named Wyland before OSA was a nonprofit.

Two stations, two stories

Local TV has covered Operation Surprise Attack twice. Channel 11 did a story on a boy named Wyland back when this was still a Facebook group run out of Lisa's house. 13abc covered Ayanna, an 18-year-old recipient, while her campaign was still running.

How the 13abc story happened

Alexis Means saw something Lisa posted and reached out to Ayanna's mom on her own. Her mom called Lisa to ask whether it was okay and whether Lisa could be there. The station interviewed Ayanna and her mom, and filmed a short clip of Lisa walking down the hospital hallway.

How we still surprised her is beyond me. With that story, I thought she's going to find out, but she didn't.

The delivery

It was a fall campaign, and Ayanna got so many gifts and gift cards that we delivered everything at one of the Metroparks. Her mom and grandmother brought two cars to bring it all home. To date it is the largest campaign we have ever run.

FAQs

Your Questions Answered

Answers to how a campaign works, who qualifies, and where your gift goes.
Who can receive a card campaign?

Children ages 3 to 17 in Northwest Ohio or Southeast Michigan who are facing a chronic or terminal illness, or going through major treatment. That includes cancer, sickle cell, children on a transplant list, and children recovering from serious accidents and multiple surgeries.

How many cards does a child actually get?

More than a thousand for most campaigns. Each child's flyer goes out to schools, churches and youth groups across the area, and classrooms make cards for about four weeks.

Does the family get anything besides cards?

Yes. Every family receives a $500 donation from us, along with gift cards for gas, groceries and restaurants, and brand new toys, books and games for the child. At Christmas, sponsors adopt the whole family and provide gifts for every child in the household.

How far do you travel?

About an hour to an hour and a half north and south of Toledo. We drive every delivery ourselves, which is what sets the boundary.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes. Operation Surprise Attack is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 87-3484307. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Can my school or church run a card drive?

Yes. Most of our cards come from schools, churches and youth organizations, and it is often the art teacher who runs it. Get in touch and we will send you the current campaign flyers.

Take Action

Let's Surprise the Next Child Together

Make one card, run a card drive with your class, or sponsor a whole campaign.
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