Mount Vernon youth's Operation Bunny still hopping, helping

Not many young children think of others when it comes to a favorite toy or stuffed animal.

But, several years ago, Aria Yarman was doing just that.

The Mount Vernon Middle Schooler was just 5 years old at the time and came to her mother, Leah Susil, crying as she clutched her favorite stuffed animal. She was upset when she found out there were children her age that didn’t have a favorite stuffed animal of their own.

Those tears turned into Operation Bunny as Aria began collecting and donating stuffed animals to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus in time for Easter.

“I felt like there are kids out there that deserve them. They have families that don’t really come to see them during this holiday time. I especially wanted to reach out to those kids because everybody deserves a warm home,” Aria said. “It’s a funny story. I was like 5 and I came to my mom crying, had my favorite stuffed bunny in my hand. I told her I wanted to give it to a kid in need; they needed it more than me. My mom and I used our brains, and we came up with the idea of Operation Bunny. We’ve been at it for five years now, had to take a little break during Covid because we weren’t allowed to donate then. Ever since we got back in the business, it’s been soaring.”

Aria was able to donate 33 stuffed bunnies to the hospital that first year in 2019. Once she resumed in 2023, she immediately quadrupled the number of animals. This year, Aria raised nearly $1,400 and was able to take 338 bunnies to Children’s Hospital.

Through Venmo, a GoFundMe page and donations of money and stuffed animals from family, friends and members of her church, Aria has now eclipsed more than 1,000 bunny donations to Children’s Hospital.

“I’m very proud of her. She’s got a big heart,” said mother, Leah Susil. “People in the community and people in the church have donated; a lot of friends and family. It’s pretty awesome how she’s done it.”

Aria, her mother and brother, Finn, spend their time shopping for bunnies at local stores, with Finn tabulating the cost as Aria tossed them into two shopping carts.

“It’s pretty fun to be able to just let her pick what she wants. She gets to pick the ones that are her favorites,” Susi said. “Last year, we made a lot of trips. At least we know now, at least two carts.”

Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit hold a special place in Aria’s heart. She was born prematurely and spent time in a NICU unit. Besides helping those children who may have had the same start in life as her, Aria wants to become a NICU nurse when she gets older.

Meanwhile, she will continue to raise money and donate bunnies and other stuffed animals to bring a smile to those children and families that are stuck in a hospital during the holidays.

“I want to be able to help kids that seem like they have the hopelessness of feeling like they can’t be helped,” Aria said.