Philadelphia preschool raises $5,038 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience preschool in Fishtown Philadelphia raised $5,038 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort blended early education with philanthropy, teaching children kindness and empathy while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign tied early childhood education to real-world giving and showed preschoolers how fundraising can help children with critical illnesses. - The program also reinforced The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy curriculum, which teaches kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Philadelphia raised $5,038 during the month-long April Let’s Grant Wishes campaign. - The fundraiser supported Make-A-Wish and helped fund life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The campaign took place at The Learning Experience preschool in Fishtown Philadelphia.

The details: - Children took part in letters to wish children, fundraising events and classroom activities centered on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Aileen Denzler, Angela Salas, Marivell Bobet and Lehilany Labarca 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 high-quality childcare and early education that goes beyond academics and to inspire the next generation of philanthropists. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience says the campaign is part of its proprietary philanthropy curriculum and that the effort helps children understand the value of giving back.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser is as much a learning tool as a charity drive, using age-appropriate activities to make abstract ideas like empathy and service concrete for preschoolers. - The national fundraising total suggests the campaign has become a recurring part of the company’s brand and educational model. - The partnership also gives The Learning Experience a community-facing mission that extends beyond standard childcare services.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company’s nationwide centers may keep adding to the Make-A-Wish total in future campaigns. - The Learning Experience continues to operate more than 480 centers and has more than 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - In Philadelphia, a preschool fundraiser became both a community donation drive and a lesson in empathy.