Stallings preschool raises $10,105 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Stallings, North Carolina, raised $10,105 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign to support Make-A-Wish. The effort blended fundraising with classroom lessons on kindness, empathy and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned early childhood education into a real-world lesson in giving back. - The $10,105 raised will help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also showed how preschool programs can teach empathy, generosity and community service through hands-on activities.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Stallings raised $10,105 during a month-long fundraising campaign in April. - The annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign benefited Make-A-Wish. - Children took part in letters, fundraising events and classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Vivek Gaddam, Brandi Nikki Vargas, Ashley Washing, Hailey Stroud and Jessica Lawson guided the campaign. - The preschool’s philanthropic mascots, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, were part of the activities.

The details: - The campaign supported children living with critical illnesses by raising money and awareness for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience said the effort reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities. - The “Let’s Grant Wishes” program is part of the company’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - That curriculum introduces kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The company said children learn that small acts of giving can help others and strengthen their communities. - Since 2018, 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 over 240 more locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The company serves children from six weeks to six years old. - The company’s L.E.A.P.® Curriculum is designed to support cognitive, social and emotional development. - The company also extends learning through Bubbles and Friends®, an educational media platform with original characters, music, video content and a companion app.

Between the lines: - The campaign gives The Learning Experience a visible way to connect its brand with character education and community impact. - The fundraiser also helps reinforce a broader message for families: philanthropy can start before elementary school. - The long-running national total suggests the Make-A-Wish partnership has become a core part of the company’s community engagement strategy.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to keep using its annual fundraising campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company will continue expanding its center network in the U.S. and U.K. - The broader partnership with Make-A-Wish will continue to support future wish grants across The Learning Experience system.

The bottom line: - A preschool fundraiser in Stallings became both a community donation drive and a lesson in empathy for its youngest students.