Eatontown preschool raises $5,263 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience preschool in Eatontown, New Jersey, raised $5,263 in April through its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to classroom lessons on kindness, empathy and community service while helping support wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned early childhood education into direct community support, raising money for Make-A-Wish while teaching preschoolers about generosity and empathy. - The fundraiser helps grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also extends The Learning Experience’s philanthropy curriculum beyond the classroom.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Eatontown raised $5,263 during the center’s monthlong “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The campaign supported Make-A-Wish. - Center leaders Judi Thaw, James Winschel and Rosha Sakovits guided the effort. - Philanthropic mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua joined the campaign activities.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Families and staff took part in fundraising events and classroom activities. - The activities focused on compassion, kindness and helping others. - The Learning Experience said the campaign reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to high-quality childcare and early education beyond academics and is proud to partner with Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The company said children learn that small acts of giving can strengthen their communities.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser is part of a broader strategy to link brand identity with social impact and family engagement. - The campaign gives young children a concrete way to practice empathy instead of hearing about it abstractly. - The national Make-A-Wish partnership gives local centers a shared cause and repeatable annual event. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have collectively 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 philanthropy curriculum. - The company will keep using hands-on activities, classroom learning and fundraising to reinforce its community-service message. - The Learning Experience continues to operate more than 480 centers and has over 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - A preschool fundraiser in Eatontown became both a lesson in kindness and a direct contribution to Make-A-Wish.