West Chester preschool raises $10,000 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in West Chester, Pennsylvania, raised $10,000 during an April fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied early childhood education to philanthropy, teaching children about kindness and giving back while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign connected early childhood education with hands-on philanthropy. - The $10,000 raised will support Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The program aimed to teach preschoolers practical lessons in kindness, empathy and community service.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in West Chester took part in the center’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Families and staff joined the month-long effort and helped raise $10,000 for Make-A-Wish. - The campaign took place at The Learning Experience in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children during the campaign. - Preschoolers also participated in fundraising events and classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Dawn Sumulong, Alex Garrison, Michele McKenna and Michael McKenna guided the activities. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” to help bring the campaign 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 Learning Experience says the campaign helps children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen 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 campaign doubles as a brand-wide culture program, not just a local fundraiser. - Early exposure to service projects can make abstract ideas like generosity more concrete for young children. - The partnership also reinforces The Learning Experience’s broader mission to make a positive difference in the communities it serves. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to education that goes beyond basic academics and wants to inspire 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 West Chester center will likely keep using classroom-based service activities to extend learning beyond the classroom. - The company’s broader philanthropy curriculum will continue to shape how children experience community giving.

The bottom line: - The West Chester preschool turned a local fundraiser into a lesson in empathy, and turned that lesson into money for children who need wish-granting support.