Edgewood preschool raises $5,394 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Edgewood, Washington, raised $5,394 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign to support Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser doubled as a philanthropy lesson for preschoolers, families and staff through hands-on activities focused on kindness, empathy and giving back.

Why it matters: - The campaign helped fund wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also turned a charity drive into an early childhood lesson on compassion, generosity and community service. - The fundraiser supports The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy curriculum, which aims to teach children how to help others through real-world experiences.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Edgewood, Washington, raised $5,394 during the preschool’s month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish. - Children took part in letters to wish children, fundraising events and classroom activities centered on helping others. - Center leaders Amber Rodarte, Amani Gomez, Ethel Gumin, Briana Lutsenko and Alejandro Gomez guided the effort. - Philanthropic mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua also participated.

The details: - The Learning Experience said the campaign reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, their families and the communities it serves. - The preschool tied the fundraiser to classroom learning about compassion and service. - The company’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The campaign showed children that small acts of giving can help others and strengthen communities. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The Edgewood fundraiser is part fundraising, part brand-building for a child care company that wants philanthropy to be part of the classroom experience. - The campaign also gives families a visible way to connect early education with community impact. - 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 create a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign across its centers. - The company’s broader network of more than 480 open centers and more than 240 additional locations in development gives the program a wide base for future donations. - The Learning Experience also plans to keep extending learning beyond the classroom through its Bubbles and Friends educational media platform and companion app.

The bottom line: - A $5,394 preschool fundraiser became a hands-on lesson in empathy while adding to a nationwide campaign that has topped $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish since 2018.