South Easton preschool raises $12,564 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience Preschool in South Easton, Massachusetts, raised $12,564 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort blended fundraising with classroom activities meant to teach young children kindness, empathy and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a preschool fundraiser into a real-world lesson in empathy, generosity and service. - The $12,564 total will help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort shows how early childhood programs can connect classroom learning to community impact.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in South Easton raised $12,564 during a month-long fundraising campaign in April. - The campaign supported Make-A-Wish through donations, events and classroom activities. - The initiative was part of the preschool’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign.

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 Stephanie FitzSimmons, Amanda Angus and Vid Mitta guided the campaign. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” to help bring the effort to life. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide childcare and early education that goes beyond basic academics and to partner with Make-A-Wish to create meaningful community impact. - 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 experiences. - The program teaches children that small acts of giving can help others and strengthen communities.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser is also a branding tool for The Learning Experience, tying its education model to philanthropy and social-emotional learning. - The company is using recurring campaigns to build habits of giving among very young children and their families. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual campaign as part of its broader philanthropy curriculum. - The company also says its mission remains focused on making a positive difference for children, families and communities. - 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 six weeks to six years old through its L.E.A.P. Curriculum and Bubbles and Friends media platform.