Mesa preschool raises $5,182 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Mesa’s Dobson Ranch center raised $5,182 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort used classroom activities, family donations and events to teach preschoolers about empathy, kindness and service while supporting children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The Mesa preschool campaign turned early childhood education into direct community support, raising money for Make-A-Wish while teaching children about giving back. - The effort connects classroom lessons on kindness and empathy to a real-world cause that helps grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Mesa’s Dobson Ranch center raised $5,182 during the month-long campaign in April. - The funds went to Make-A-Wish through the school’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” fundraising drive. - Center leaders Kimberly Christie and Rosie Kariuki guided the effort. - Philanthropic mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua were part of the campaign.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers took part in fundraising events. - Classroom activities 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. - The program is designed to show children that small acts of giving can help others and strengthen their communities. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The campaign shows how a preschool fundraiser can serve a broader educational goal, not just a charitable one. - The Learning Experience is using philanthropy as a teaching tool to build social and emotional learning alongside academics. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company wants to provide childcare and early education that goes beyond the ABCs and 123s. - Wahl also said the partnership with Make-A-Wish is meant to create a meaningful difference in the communities the company serves and inspire future philanthropists.

What's next: - The annual campaign will likely continue as part of The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy curriculum. - Future center-level efforts are expected to keep combining fundraising with classroom lessons on service and empathy. - The Learning Experience continues to operate more than 480 centers, with 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.