Ashburn preschool raises $5,441 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Ashburn, Virginia, collected $5,441 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign to support Make-A-Wish. The preschool tied the fundraiser to classroom activities that taught children kindness, empathy and community service.

Why it matters: - The fundraiser gave preschoolers a hands-on way to learn about kindness, empathy and giving back. - The campaign also supported Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort shows how early childhood programs can connect classroom learning with real-world community impact.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Ashburn raised $5,441 during its month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff contributed through donations, events and classroom activities. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers took part in fundraising events. - Classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Manoj Gandhi, Tenea Starks, Renee Rossi and Danielle Sweeney guided the campaign. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” during the effort. - 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 experiences. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser doubles as a brand-building effort for The Learning Experience’s mission-driven model. - The campaign extends learning beyond academics and gives children a visible role in charitable giving. - The national fundraising total suggests the Ashburn center is part of a broader, long-running corporate philanthropy program. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to high-quality childcare and early education that goes beyond academics and to partnering with Make-A-Wish to inspire the next generation of philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual fundraising campaign across its centers. - The company says the effort will keep reinforcing lessons about service and community while supporting Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience continues to expand its early childhood education footprint, with more than 480 centers open and more than 240 in development across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser became both a community donation drive and a lesson in empathy for young children.