Chandler preschool raises $5,097 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience Preschool in Chandler collected $5,097 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign, involving children, families and staff in support of Make-A-Wish. The effort ties early education to philanthropy by teaching empathy, kindness and community service while helping grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a preschool fundraiser into a hands-on lesson in empathy, generosity and community service. - The $5,097 raised in Chandler will support Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The initiative shows how early childhood education programs can connect classroom learning with real-world giving.

What happened: - The Learning Experience Preschool in Chandler raised $5,097 during its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members took part in the month-long effort. - The fundraiser benefited Make-A-Wish. - The campaign included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers joined activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Amita Gairola, Johanne Jayne and Jennifer Zemke guided the campaign. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” to bring the program to life. - 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 aims to show children that small acts of giving can 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 fundraiser doubles as branding for The Learning Experience’s broader mission around purposeful learning and community impact. - The campaign also gives the company a visible example of how its philanthropy curriculum works outside the classroom. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company wants to go beyond basic academics and inspire the next generation of philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual campaign as part of its ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish. - The company will keep using its philanthropy curriculum to connect early education with service projects across its centers. - The broader network of more than 480 centers and 240 additional locations in development gives the program room to scale further.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser in Chandler became part of a national effort that has now surpassed $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.