Manhattan preschool raises $11,557 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in New York City raised $11,557 during an April fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied early childhood learning to philanthropy by teaching children kindness, empathy and community service while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a preschool fundraiser into a real-world lesson in empathy and giving back. - The $11,557 raised will support Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The program shows how early childhood education can build social skills and community awareness alongside classroom learning.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in New York City took part in the annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff raised $11,557 over the month-long effort. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Children joined fundraising events and classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Jessica Pollard, Samantha Santiago, Michael Brown and Samantha Nagy guided the campaign. - The effort used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua.” - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - That curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The company said the initiative supports its broader mission to make a positive difference for children, families and local communities. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The campaign gives The Learning Experience a way to connect its education brand with a cause that has broad public recognition. - The fundraiser also serves as a family-engagement tool, bringing parents and staff into the school’s community-building efforts. - The initiative highlights a growing emphasis on teaching service learning at younger ages through hands-on experiences rather than classroom-only instruction. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is proud to partner with Make-A-Wish and inspire the next generation of philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue using its annual campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The nationwide total for Make-A-Wish fundraising may keep growing as more centers participate in future campaigns. - The company’s broader education and media offerings, including its L.E.A.P.® Curriculum and Bubbles and Friends®, remain part of its brand strategy.

The bottom line: - A Manhattan preschool fundraiser became both a community donation drive and a lesson in kindness for young children. - More information is available on The Learning Experience's social channels.