Westampton preschool raises $5,236 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Westampton, New Jersey, raised $5,236 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser used classroom activities, family donations and staff participation to teach preschoolers about kindness while supporting children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The fundraiser turns early childhood education into real-world philanthropy, linking classroom lessons on empathy and generosity to direct support for children with critical illnesses. - The campaign also adds to a nationwide effort that has raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish since 2018 across The Learning Experience centers.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Westampton, New Jersey, raised $5,236 during the center’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. - The campaign ran for one month in April and benefited Make-A-Wish. - The effort supported wishes for children living with critical illnesses.

The details: - Children took part in letter-writing, fundraising events and classroom activities centered on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Jessica Potter, Jillian Perry, Hadiyyah Murphy-Harris, Nealyana Nixon and Dana Grossman guided the campaign. - The center used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” to help bring the program to life. - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The program is designed to show children that small acts of giving can strengthen their communities. - 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 create a meaningful difference in communities. - The Learning Experience says the Westampton campaign reflects its mission to make a positive difference for children, families and communities.

Between the lines: - The campaign gives The Learning Experience a community-facing example of how its curriculum extends beyond traditional preschool learning. - The national fundraising total suggests the Make-A-Wish partnership has become a recurring part of the company’s brand identity and community outreach. - The emphasis on hands-on giving also positions the preschool as teaching social values through direct participation rather than classroom instruction alone.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign as part of its broader philanthropy program. - The company will keep promoting early childhood education tied to community service across its centers. - The Learning Experience now operates more than 480 centers and has more than 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - A Westampton preschool fundraiser became both a local donation drive and a lesson in empathy, while adding to a multimillion-dollar national partnership with Make-A-Wish.