Voorhees preschool raises $5,139 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience preschool in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, raised $5,139 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser paired classroom activities with community giving, teaching children empathy while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The fundraiser tied early childhood education to real-world philanthropy. - The campaign helped fund Make-A-Wish grants for children with critical illnesses. - The program also taught preschoolers kindness, empathy and community service through hands-on participation.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, took part in the school’s annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign in April. - Children, families and staff members raised $5,139 for Make-A-Wish during the month-long effort. - The campaign included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities.

The details: - Center leaders Katie Batchelder, Sabrina Troiano, Deanna Williams, Celine Alvarez, Kelly Hughes, Armand Troiano and Kaitlyn Sickler guided the activities. - Philanthropic mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua were part of the campaign. - Preschoolers wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Classroom lessons focused on compassion and helping others. - 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. - 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.

Between the lines: - The effort shows how a preschool fundraiser can double as a teaching tool. - The campaign gives young children a concrete way to practice generosity instead of only hearing about it. - The national fundraising total suggests the program has become a recurring part of the brand’s identity.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company also continues to expand its early education footprint, with more than 480 centers open and over 240 locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The Learning Experience serves children from six weeks to six years old. - Its related media platform, Bubbles and Friends, extends learning beyond the classroom through characters, music, video content and a companion app.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser turned into a broader lesson in service, while sending money to Make-A-Wish at the same time.