Deer Park preschool raises $10,373 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Deer Park, N.Y., raised $10,373 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to classroom activities that taught preschoolers empathy, generosity and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign connected early childhood education with real-world philanthropy. - The fundraising supported Make-A-Wish and helped fund wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The program also taught preschoolers kindness, empathy and the value of giving back.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Deer Park raised $10,373 during the month-long April campaign. - The annual Let’s Grant Wishes drive benefited Make-A-Wish. - The fundraiser took place at the Deer Park center in New York.

The details: - Children took part in hands-on activities tied to the campaign. - Center leaders Larisa Monteleone, Alexa Reilly and Brittany Fiorentino guided the effort. - The preschool’s philanthropy mascots, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, helped bring the campaign to life. - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish recipients. - Families and staff also supported the campaign through donations and events. - The Learning Experience said the initiative reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities. - The Let’s Grant Wishes campaign is part of the company’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - That curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The company said children learn through hands-on participation that small acts of giving can help others and strengthen 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 program can pair classroom learning with community fundraising. - The structure also gives young children an early, concrete way to practice empathy rather than only hear about it. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the partnership with Make-A-Wish helps create a meaningful difference in communities while inspiring the next generation of philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign across centers nationwide. - The company will likely keep using its philanthropy curriculum to tie community service to early education. - The Deer Park center can build on the campaign’s local awareness and fundraising momentum in future years.