The Learning Experience Summit raises $6,022 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Summit, New Jersey, raised $6,022 during an April fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied early education to philanthropy by teaching children kindness, empathy and community service while supporting children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign paired early childhood education with hands-on philanthropy. - The effort raised money for Make-A-Wish, which helps grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The program also taught preschoolers practical lessons in kindness, empathy and giving back.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Summit, New Jersey, took part in the center’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members raised $6,022 for Make-A-Wish during the month-long effort. - Center leaders Lynn Ann Zazzali, Varsha Manglani, Catherine Keating, Kerry Flanagan and Cassandra Jupiter-Jarratt guided the campaign. - Philanthropic mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua also supported the activities.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - The preschool hosted fundraising events and classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - That curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The program is designed to show children that small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - The Learning Experience said the campaign reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience operates more than 480 centers and has more than 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The company serves children from six weeks to six years old. - The Learning Experience uses its L.E.A.P. curriculum to support 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. - The Learning Experience has been recognized as the No. 1 Childcare Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and the No. 1 Education Franchise by Franchise Business Review. - Media relations contact information for The Learning Experience was included in the release. - The release linked to The Learning Experience’s social channels: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser gives The Learning Experience a visible example of how the company extends learning beyond academics. - The campaign also helps build a culture of service early, when habits around empathy and generosity can take root. - The national total of more than $11.5 million since 2018 signals that the Summit effort is part of a larger, long-running companywide program.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The center and the broader company can use the fundraiser to reinforce community engagement and family participation in future school-year activities. - Make-A-Wish will continue relying on community fundraising to support future wish-granting efforts.

The bottom line: - A small local preschool campaign turned into a measurable community impact, while giving children a real-world lesson in service.