Maple Valley preschool raises $5,374 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience Preschool in Maple Valley raised $5,374 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to classroom lessons on kindness and giving back, while adding to a nationwide total of more than $11.5 million raised since 2018.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned early childhood education into a real-world lesson in empathy, generosity and community service. - The $5,374 raised will support Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The fundraiser shows how local preschool programs can connect classroom learning to measurable community impact.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Maple Valley raised $5,374 during the month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish. - The effort included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities. - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children and took part in compassion-focused lessons.

The details: - Center leaders Amani Gomez, Dina Dodge, Taysha Farrish, Alejandro Gomez and Elina Stirret guided the campaign. - Mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua helped bring the program to life. - The Learning Experience said the campaign is part of its proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The company says the program helps children see how small acts of giving can 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 fundraiser supports The Learning Experience’s broader brand message that early education can go beyond academic skills. - The campaign also gives families and staff a shared community project, which can deepen engagement around the preschool. - The national fundraising total suggests the Maple Valley effort is part of a longer-running, companywide philanthropic push rather than a one-off event.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue using its annual Make-A-Wish campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company will likely keep pairing classroom activities with fundraising events at centers nationwide. - Local participation in future campaigns could add to the more than $11.5 million already raised since 2018.

The bottom line: - The Maple Valley preschool used a charity drive to teach empathy in the classroom and raise money for children who need wishes granted.