Hillsborough preschool raises $5,001 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience Preschool in Hillsborough Township raised $5,001 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to classroom lessons on kindness and empathy while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned early childhood education into hands-on philanthropy. - The $5,001 raised will help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The fundraiser also taught preschoolers about kindness, empathy and giving back.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, raised $5,001 during the school’s month-long April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. - The effort supported Make-A-Wish and was tied to the preschool’s annual philanthropy program. - The campaign included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers took part in activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Doreen Vecchione, Jyoti Jhurani, Priyambada Singh, Rachelle Quon, Kiran Jhurani and Niki Shah guided the campaign. - The school’s philanthropy mascots, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, were part of the program. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide early education that goes beyond academics and help inspire the next generation of philanthropists. - The “Let’s Grant Wishes” 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.

Between the lines: - The campaign is designed to connect classroom learning with real-world service. - The school is using philanthropy to reinforce social and emotional development, not just academic skills. - The effort also helps families and staff participate in a shared community project. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign across its centers. - The company says the program will keep linking early education with service and community impact. - The Learning Experience also continues expanding its preschool network, with more than 480 centers open and over 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - A local preschool campaign became part of a national philanthropy effort, giving children an early lesson in service while raising money for wish-granting.