The Learning Experience Gurnee raises $15,000 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Gurnee, Illinois, raised $15,000 in an April fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied philanthropy to early childhood education by teaching kindness and empathy through hands-on activities.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a local preschool fundraiser into direct support for Make-A-Wish and children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also used everyday classroom and family activities to teach empathy, generosity and community service. - The fundraiser reflects a broader push to connect early learning with real-world service.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Gurnee took part in the school’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff raised $15,000 for Make-A-Wish during the month-long effort. - The fundraiser supported wishes for children living with critical illnesses.

The details: - Center leaders Sierra Zaban, Kristen Gillespie, Jessica Jimenez and Brianna Tinder guided the campaign. - Philanthropic mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua helped bring the activities to life. - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Children also joined fundraising events and classroom lessons focused on compassion and helping others. - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience says its mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to childcare and early education that goes beyond academics and to inspiring the next generation of philanthropists. - The Learning Experience has more than 480 centers open and 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 extends learning through Bubbles and Friends®, an educational media platform with original characters, music, video content and a companion app.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser shows how childcare centers can use service projects to reinforce social-emotional learning. - The national Make-A-Wish total suggests the campaign has become a recurring part of the company’s identity, not just a one-time local event. - The mix of letters, events and classroom work suggests the school is trying to make philanthropy concrete for young children.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue using its annual campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company will likely keep expanding its center network while promoting the same community-focused model. - The Gurnee center can build on the April fundraiser as a template for future family and classroom service projects.

The bottom line: - The Gurnee preschool raised money for a national wish-granting charity while teaching children that kindness can have a measurable impact.