Lakewood Ranch preschool raises $10,680 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch raised $10,680 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign to support Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to classroom activities meant to teach preschoolers kindness, empathy and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign helped fund wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also used early childhood education to teach philanthropy through real-world participation. - The fundraiser showed how a preschool community can support a national nonprofit while building lessons around empathy and generosity.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch raised $10,680 during the school’s month-long April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. - The fundraiser benefited Make-A-Wish. - The campaign included donations, events and classroom activities. - Center leaders Niki Robinson and Staci Eades guided the effort. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” also took part.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers participated in fundraising events tied to the campaign. - Classroom lessons focused on compassion and helping others. - The Learning Experience said the campaign is part of its proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The company said the hands-on model helps children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience serves children from six weeks to six years old. - The company says it has more than 480 centers open and over 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser doubles as a branding and education tool for The Learning Experience’s broader mission. - The campaign reinforces a growing trend in early education: using service projects to teach social and emotional skills alongside academics. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to providing high-quality childcare and early education that goes beyond academics and partnering with Make-A-Wish to inspire future philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - Nationwide centers may keep building on the company’s long-running Make-A-Wish fundraising total. - The school community in Lakewood Ranch may use the campaign as a model for future service-based learning activities.

The bottom line: - A local preschool turned a month-long fundraiser into both a donation drive and a lesson in giving back.