Mooresville preschool raises $7,771 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience Preschool in Mooresville raised $7,771 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to classroom lessons in kindness and empathy while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign connected early childhood education with philanthropy by teaching preschoolers how kindness, generosity and service can help other children. - The $7,771 raised in Mooresville will support Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The local fundraiser also reflects a larger nationwide program that has generated more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish since 2018.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Mooresville raised $7,771 during the school’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The month-long effort supported Make-A-Wish and was built around donations, events and classroom activities. - The campaign used hands-on projects to involve children in the cause.

The details: - Center leaders Yolanda Nesbit, Marsha Anderson, Brookelynn Norman-Sherrill and Jeetu Kancharla guided the preschool activities. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” helped bring the campaign to life. - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children and took part in fundraising events. - Classroom lessons focused on compassion, helping others and community service. - 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 Learning Experience says the program helps children see that small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide high-quality childcare and early education beyond basic academics. - Wahl said the partnership with Make-A-Wish helps create a meaningful difference in the communities the company serves and inspires future philanthropists.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser is as much about education as fundraising, using a charity campaign to reinforce social-emotional learning in the classroom. - The national Make-A-Wish total gives the local effort added weight, showing the Mooresville center is part of a broader companywide giving model. - The campaign also helps The Learning Experience tie its brand to community impact, not just childcare.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue using its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign as a recurring way to engage children, families and staff. - The company will keep linking classroom learning with philanthropy across its centers nationwide. - The broader partnership with Make-A-Wish is set to continue as part of the company’s philanthropy curriculum.

The bottom line: - A Mooresville preschool turned a month of classroom learning and family participation into $7,771 for Make-A-Wish, while teaching young children the value of giving back.