Roseland preschool raises $15,001 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Roseland, New Jersey, raised $15,001 during an April Make-A-Wish campaign. The effort mixed fundraising with classroom activities aimed at teaching young children kindness, empathy and community service.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a preschool fundraiser into a hands-on lesson in empathy and giving back. - The $15,001 total will help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort shows how early childhood programs can connect classroom learning to community impact.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Roseland ran its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff raised $15,001 for Make-A-Wish during the month-long effort. - The fundraiser was tied to The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy curriculum.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers took part in fundraising events and classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Angela Emiliani, Liz Emiliani, Helena Frick, Christina DePrima, Tiffany Fay, Corinne McDonald and Sarah Wysocki guided the campaign. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” were part of the campaign experience. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide childcare and early education that goes beyond basic academics. - Wahl said the partnership with Make-A-Wish is meant to create community impact while inspiring future philanthropists.

Between the lines: - The campaign is designed to teach children that service and generosity are learned through participation, not just instruction. - The initiative also serves a brand purpose for The Learning Experience by linking early education with family engagement and charitable giving. - The Roseland fundraiser fits into a national effort that has already raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish since 2018.

What's next: - The Learning Experience will continue using its philanthropy curriculum to introduce children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service. - The company’s nationwide centers are likely to keep supporting Make-A-Wish through the annual campaign. - The Learning Experience says it will keep expanding its early education footprint, with more than 480 centers open and over 240 locations in development across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser became both a charity drive and an early lesson in civic responsibility.