Matawan preschool raises $5,180 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Matawan raised $5,180 in April through the center’s annual Make-A-Wish campaign. The effort tied fundraising to classroom lessons on empathy, generosity and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign shows how early childhood education can pair philanthropy with classroom learning. - The $5,180 raised will support Make-A-Wish and help grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also reinforces The Learning Experience’s goal of teaching kindness, empathy and service through real-world participation.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Matawan ran its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” fundraising campaign during April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members raised $5,180 for Make-A-Wish over the month-long effort. - Children took part in letters, fundraising events and classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others.

The details: - Center leaders Jasmine Wright-Daye, Sunny Patel and Domenico Barbiero-Ferrigno guided the campaign. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” were part of the activities. - Preschoolers wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - The campaign used donations, events and classroom lessons to build awareness for children with critical illnesses. - The preschool said the campaign extends learning beyond the classroom by showing children how acts of kindness and generosity can help others. - 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. - The program is designed to help children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The fundraising drive gives The Learning Experience a visible way to connect its education brand with community impact. - The campaign also helps turn abstract ideas like empathy and generosity into concrete actions for preschoolers. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide childcare and early education that goes beyond the basics and create a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to keep using its annual campaign as part of its broader philanthropy curriculum. - The company continues to expand nationally, with more than 480 centers open and over 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The organization said it will keep focusing on early education, family engagement and community service.