Brooklyn preschool raises $5,001 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Brooklyn-Bay Ridge raised $5,001 in April through its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign, with preschoolers, families and staff supporting Make-A-Wish. The effort ties early education to philanthropy and adds to a nationwide fundraising total that has topped $11.5 million since 2018.

Why it matters: - The campaign shows how early childhood education can teach empathy, kindness and community service through hands-on giving. - The funds support Make-A-Wish, which helps grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The Brooklyn-Bay Ridge center’s effort is part of a larger nationwide program that has raised more than $11.5 million since 2018.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Brooklyn-Bay Ridge raised $5,001 during the school’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff took part in the month-long fundraiser. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Children joined fundraising events and classroom activities centered on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Kiran Patel, Daynesha Washington, Kejal Patel and Ronnie Chen guided the effort. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” also helped bring the campaign to life. - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The Learning Experience said the campaign reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and the communities it serves.

Between the lines: - The Brooklyn fundraiser doubles as a branding move and an education tool, linking classroom learning with community giving. - The company is positioning philanthropy as part of its broader early-learning model, not an extracurricular add-on. - The annual campaign helps turn a local center event into a national fundraising story.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign at centers nationwide. - The company says its broader network will keep using hands-on philanthropy to teach children about service and generosity. - More information is available through The Learning Experience’s social channels, Brooklyn-Bay Ridge Instagram, Facebook page, YouTube channel and TikTok account.