Jacksonville preschool raises $10,170 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Jacksonville-Oakleaf raised $10,170 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser combined classroom activities, family donations and staff participation to teach young children about kindness while supporting children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned early childhood education into direct community impact. - Funds support Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The fundraiser also taught preschoolers empathy, generosity and service through real-world participation.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Jacksonville-Oakleaf raised $10,170 during its monthlong “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff contributed through donations, events and classroom activities. - The effort supported Make-A-Wish.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers took part in fundraising events and compassion-focused classroom activities. - Center leaders Dr. Grace Huxtable-Mount, Jason Mount, Kaylee Longmuir, Shanci Foster, Trinace Grant and Jasmin Case guided the campaign. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” helped bring the activities to life. - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The Learning Experience said the program shows children that small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - 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 fundraiser doubles as a brand-wide lesson in civic engagement. - The campaign fits The Learning Experience’s broader mission to connect early education with community service. - The company is using philanthropy as a way to teach social and emotional skills alongside academics.

What's next: - The Learning Experience will likely continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign across its centers. - The company will keep extending its philanthropy curriculum through hands-on activities and community-focused events. - More fundraising totals may be added as centers across the network run similar campaigns.

The bottom line: - A preschool fundraiser in Jacksonville raised five figures for Make-A-Wish and gave children a practical lesson in giving back.