Cary preschool raises $10,016 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Cary raised $10,016 in April through the center’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. The effort supported Make-A-Wish and doubled as a philanthropy lesson for young children on kindness, empathy and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a local preschool fundraiser into direct support for children with critical illnesses through Make-A-Wish. - The effort also gave young children a hands-on lesson in compassion, generosity and community service. - The Learning Experience’s philanthropy program extends learning beyond the classroom and ties early education to real-world giving.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Cary raised $10,016 during the center’s month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff contributed through donations, fundraising events and classroom activities. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish and helped support wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - Center leaders Patti Forde, Christina Johnson, Dia Shah and Perry Shah guided the effort alongside the mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua.” - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children and took part in activities focused on compassion and helping others.

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 activities. - The preschool says the program teaches children that small acts of giving can strengthen their communities. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide childcare and early education that goes beyond academics and to inspire the next generation of philanthropists. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience operates more than 480 centers and has over 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The company serves children from six weeks to six years old. - The Learning Experience also says its L.E.A.P. Curriculum supports cognitive, social and emotional development. - Its Bubbles and Friends educational media platform includes original characters, music, video content and a companion app.

Between the lines: - The campaign shows how early childhood programs can use fundraising to reinforce social-emotional learning. - The results also suggest the Make-A-Wish partnership has become a durable nationwide giving program for The Learning Experience.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company will keep using classroom and family participation to connect learning with community impact. - More centers in development may expand the reach of future fundraising totals.

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