Winter Garden preschool raises $10,650 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Winter Garden raised $10,650 during an April fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied philanthropy to early education, teaching children about kindness, empathy and community service while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The fundraiser turned a classroom campaign into direct support for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also gave preschoolers a hands-on lesson in generosity, inclusion and community service. - The campaign shows how early childhood education programs can connect learning with real-world giving.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Winter Garden raised $10,650 during the preschool’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The month-long effort supported Make-A-Wish. - The campaign took place at The Learning Experience in Winter Garden.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers took part in fundraising events. - Classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Alexis Messina, Katherine Newcomer, Sheila Maldonado, Francesca Messina and Robert Messina guided the campaign. - The preschool’s philanthropic mascots, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, were part of the activities. - 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 partner with Make-A-Wish to create a meaningful difference in the communities it serves. - The “Let’s Grant Wishes” 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. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The campaign doubles as marketing for a broader education model that blends academics with character building. - The fundraising total adds to a long-running national effort, suggesting the Winter Garden center is part of a larger, sustained partnership. - The emphasis on children participating directly suggests the program is designed to make philanthropy tangible at an early age.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue using the annual campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - Nationwide centers may add to the more than $11.5 million already raised for Make-A-Wish. - The Winter Garden preschool can build on this campaign to deepen family participation in future community efforts.

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