The Learning Experience in Old Bridge raises $6,360 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Old Bridge, New Jersey, raised $6,360 in April through the center’s annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort also doubles as a hands-on lesson in kindness, empathy and community service for young children.

Why it matters: - The campaign funds Make-A-Wish while teaching preschoolers that kindness and generosity can help children living with critical illnesses. - The effort turns philanthropy into an early learning experience, linking classroom lessons with real-world community impact.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Old Bridge raised $6,360 during its month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members supported the fundraiser through donations, events and classroom activities. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish and helped support wishes for children with critical illnesses.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children during the campaign. - Center leaders Danielle Mazzarella, Neelam Desai, Jyoti Jhurani, Jyot Patel, Kiran Jhurani and Ebonie Reaves guided the activities. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” to bring the campaign to life. - The fundraising drive is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The program is designed to show children that small acts of giving can strengthen their 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 Old Bridge campaign serves two goals at once: it raises money for charity and builds social-emotional learning for preschoolers. - The national fundraising total shows the campaign has become a recurring part of The Learning Experience brand identity, not just a one-off local event. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide childcare that goes beyond academics and to inspire the next generation of philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual campaign as part of its broader philanthropy curriculum. - The company will keep using school-based fundraising and hands-on activities to connect early education with community service. - The Learning Experience said it remains focused on making a positive difference in the lives of children, families and the communities it serves.

The bottom line: - The Old Bridge preschool turned a classroom fundraiser into a local charity effort with a broader lesson: even very young children can participate in meaningful giving.