Oswego preschool raises $5,001 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Oswego, Illinois, collected $5,001 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser paired donations with classroom activities to teach preschoolers kindness, empathy and community service while supporting children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The fundraiser turned early childhood education into a hands-on lesson in generosity and service. - The $5,001 raised in Oswego will help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The campaign also reinforced The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy curriculum, which is designed to teach children kindness, inclusion and community service.

What happened: - The Learning Experience preschool in Oswego, Illinois, held its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members raised $5,001 for Make-A-Wish over the month-long effort. - Children took part in fundraising events, classroom activities and letter-writing for wish children. - Center leaders Marcee Martinez, Jennifer Heubel and Julissa Fanslau guided the campaign. - The preschool’s philanthropic mascots, “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua,” were part of the activities.

The details: - The campaign focused on compassion and helping others through age-appropriate, hands-on experiences. - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children and learned about the impact of charitable giving. - The Learning Experience described the fundraiser as part of its proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service. - The company said the program helps children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen 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 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The company serves children from six weeks to six years old. - Its L.E.A.P. Curriculum focuses on cognitive, social and emotional development. - The company also runs Bubbles and Friends, an educational media platform with original characters, music, video content and a companion app.

Between the lines: - The Oswego fundraiser shows how preschool philanthropy can be used as both community outreach and classroom learning. - The campaign gives The Learning Experience a visible way to connect its education brand with family participation and charitable impact. - The company’s nationwide Make-A-Wish total suggests the Oswego effort is part of a larger, long-running fundraising program rather than a one-off event.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign across centers. - The company will likely keep using the program to pair early education with service learning and family engagement. - The Learning Experience said it remains focused on making a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities it serves.

The bottom line: - The Oswego preschool raised money for Make-A-Wish and used the campaign to teach young children that giving back can start early.