Southington preschool raises $5,008 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Southington, Connecticut, raised $5,008 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort mixed fundraising with classroom activities to teach preschoolers empathy, kindness and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a local preschool fundraiser into direct support for children with critical illnesses. - The effort also used everyday classroom activities to teach young children about empathy, generosity and service. - The program shows how early childhood education can connect learning with real-world community impact.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Southington raised $5,008 during the preschool’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. - The month-long drive took place in April and benefited Make-A-Wish. - Preschoolers, families and staff contributed through donations, events and classroom activities. - The campaign helped support wishes for children living with critical illnesses.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Children also took part in fundraising events and classroom lessons centered on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Murissa Rotz, Shital Patel, Deepash Patel, Catherine Raiti and Jennifer Morin guided the campaign. - The preschool’s philanthropic mascots, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, were part of the activities. - The “Let’s Grant Wishes” effort is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - That curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience said the campaign reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities.

Between the lines: - The campaign blends fundraising with brand-building for a values-based education model. - The scale of the nationwide Make-A-Wish total suggests the program has become a long-running part of The Learning Experience’s identity. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide high-quality childcare and early education beyond academics and to inspire the next generation of philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company’s broader network of more than 480 open centers and more than 240 locations in development gives the program room to keep expanding. - The Learning Experience also continues to offer early education and care for children from six weeks to six years old across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - A Southington preschool fundraiser raised money for Make-A-Wish while teaching young children that giving back can start early.