Eastvale preschool raises $5,149 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Eastvale raised $5,149 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The preschool tied fundraising to classroom lessons on kindness and empathy while adding to a nationwide total that has topped $11.5 million since 2018.

Why it matters: - The Eastvale campaign shows how early childhood education can connect classroom learning with real-world philanthropy. - The money supports Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The program also teaches preschoolers kindness, empathy and community service through hands-on participation.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Eastvale raised $5,149 during the center’s month-long Let’s Grant Wishes campaign in April. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish. - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children, joined fundraising events and took part in classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Kristen Kirschenmann, Robb Kirschenmann, Dalana Ridgway and Elena Boling guided the activities alongside the mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua.

The details: - The Learning Experience describes Let’s Grant Wishes as part of its proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The preschool said the campaign extends learning beyond the classroom by showing children how acts of kindness and service affect others. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to high-quality childcare and early education that goes beyond basic academics and wants to inspire the next generation of philanthropists. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience 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. - The Learning Experience says its L.E.A.P. Curriculum supports cognitive, social and emotional development. - The company also operates Bubbles and Friends, an educational media platform with original characters, music, video content and a companion app. - The Learning Experience says it has been named the No. 1 Childcare Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and the No. 1 Education Franchise by Franchise Business Review. - More information is available in the company’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The Eastvale effort is part of a broader branding strategy that links education with service learning. - The fundraising total is modest locally, but it fits into a large national campaign that has become a recurring feature of the company’s culture. - The program gives families and staff a visible way to participate in community giving, not just donate money.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - Nationwide fundraising efforts at other centers may add to the company’s total for Make-A-Wish in future years. - The Eastvale center can use the campaign as a template for future service-based learning activities.

The bottom line: - The Eastvale preschool raised money for Make-A-Wish and turned the fundraiser into a lesson in generosity for young children.