Bakersfield preschool raises $6,261 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience Preschool in Bakersfield raised $6,261 during its month-long April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort mixed fundraising with classroom activities to teach children empathy, generosity and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned early childhood education into hands-on philanthropy. - The funds support Make-A-Wish efforts to grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The program also teaches preschoolers kindness, empathy and giving back through real-world activity.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Bakersfield raised $6,261 during the preschool’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The month-long effort supported Make-A-Wish. - The campaign included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities. - Center leaders Kacey Westbrook and Felicia Martinez guided the campaign. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” helped bring the activities to life.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers participated in fundraising events and compassion-focused classroom lessons. - 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 effort extends learning beyond the classroom and shows children how acts of service can help others. - 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 Bakersfield campaign shows how a preschool can use community fundraising as a teaching tool, not just a charity drive. - The model gives the brand a social-impact message that aligns with its early education business. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide high-quality childcare and early education beyond academics while inspiring future philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience said the annual campaign is part of its broader commitment to make a positive difference for children, families and communities. - The company’s national network is likely to keep using the same philanthropy curriculum and Make-A-Wish partnership in future campaigns. - The Learning Experience has more than 480 centers open and over 240 more in development across the U.S. and U.K.

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