The Learning Experience Nazareth Raises $10,001 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, raised $10,001 during the center’s April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to lessons in kindness and empathy while adding to a nationwide total of more than $11.5 million since 2018.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a local preschool fundraiser into direct support for children with critical illnesses. - The effort also used classroom activities to teach kindness, empathy and community service at an early age. - The fundraiser adds to The Learning Experience’s national Make-A-Wish giving total, which tops $11.5 million since 2018.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, raised $10,001 during its month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members contributed through donations, events and classroom activities. - The fundraiser benefited Make-A-Wish.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children during the campaign. - Center leaders Sara Baker, Maria Hartz, Michele McKenna, Michael McKenna and Krystal Hartzell guided the activities. - The campaign featured the preschool’s philanthropic mascots, “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua.” - The initiative 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. - The Learning Experience says the program helps children see how small acts of giving can strengthen their communities. - Since 2018, children, families and staff members across The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience operates more than 480 centers and has 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 Learning Experience uses its L.E.A.P.® Curriculum to support cognitive, social and emotional development. - The company also extends learning through Bubbles and Friends®, its educational media platform with original characters, music, video content and a companion app. - The Learning Experience has been named the No. 1 Childcare Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and the No. 1 Education Franchise by Franchise Business Review.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser shows how early education programs can combine philanthropy with hands-on learning. - The Nazareth campaign also serves as a local example of the company’s broader national giving program. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company wants to provide early education that goes beyond basic academics and create meaningful community impact.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign across centers nationwide. - The company will likely keep using philanthropy as part of its early childhood education model.

The bottom line: - A preschool fundraiser in Nazareth delivered real money for Make-A-Wish and turned charity into a classroom lesson.