Lafayette preschool raises $5,390 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Lafayette raised $5,390 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish, combining donations, classroom activities and family participation. The effort is part of the preschool’s philanthropy curriculum and adds to more than $11.5 million raised nationwide since 2018.

Why it matters: - The campaign turns early childhood education into hands-on community service. - The fundraiser helps Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The program is designed to teach preschoolers kindness, empathy and giving back.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Lafayette, Colorado raised $5,390 during the month-long campaign in April. - The annual effort was called “Let’s Grant Wishes.” - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish. - Children took part in fundraising events, classroom activities and wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Center leaders Sheetal Korah, John Korah, Victoria Hertzing, Annette Herrera and Frances Calvin guided the campaign. - The preschool also used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” in the effort.

The details: - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The preschool says the program helps children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen their communities. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience says the fundraising reflects its mission 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 high-quality childcare and early education beyond the ABCs and 123s.

Between the lines: - The campaign gives the preschool a visible way to connect classroom learning with real-world service. - The fundraiser also serves as a brand-building example of how early education programs can package philanthropy as part of the school experience. - The nationwide total suggests the Lafayette effort is one piece of a larger, recurring fundraising model.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign at centers nationwide. - The preschool will likely keep using the program to reinforce lessons about empathy, generosity and community service. - The company continues to expand, with more than 480 centers open and more than 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - The Lafayette preschool raised money for Make-A-Wish while teaching children that giving back can be part of everyday learning.