Rio Rancho preschool raises $6,234 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Rio Rancho raised $6,234 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser combined classroom activities, family donations and staff participation to teach children empathy while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign connected early childhood education with real-world philanthropy. - Funds raised will help grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also taught preschoolers kindness, empathy and community service through hands-on participation.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Rio Rancho raised $6,234 during the month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The fundraiser benefited Make-A-Wish. - Center leaders Britney Woods, Esperanza Montanez and Danielle Moquino guided the activities. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” helped bring the campaign to life.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers participated in fundraising events and classroom activities centered on compassion and helping others. - The campaign was part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The Learning Experience says the effort extends learning beyond the classroom by showing children how acts of kindness and service can make a difference. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have collectively raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The Rio Rancho fundraiser shows how the company uses charitable campaigns as a teaching tool, not just a donation drive. - The program also reinforces The Learning Experience’s broader brand message around purposeful learning and community impact. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to high-quality childcare that goes beyond academic basics and to creating a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign at centers nationwide. - The company says the initiative will keep introducing children to giving back through hands-on experiences. - The Learning Experience now has more than 480 centers open and more than 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The company serves children from 6 weeks to 6 years old.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser delivered money for Make-A-Wish and a lesson in empathy at the same time. - More information: the company's social profiles