North Bergen preschool raises $5,000 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience Preschool in North Bergen raised $5,000 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign for Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser paired donations and classroom activities with lessons in kindness, empathy and community service for young children.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned early childhood education into a real-world lesson in giving back. - The $5,000 raised will support Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The fundraiser shows how a local preschool can connect families, staff and students to a broader community cause.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in North Bergen, New Jersey, raised $5,000 during the school’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. - The month-long drive took place in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members all contributed through donations, events and classroom activities. - The campaign supported Make-A-Wish.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Students took part in fundraising events. - Classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Bina Zalawadia, Roseline Adewale and Bianca Marte Rodriguez guided the effort. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” as part of the campaign. - The Learning Experience said the program reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities. - The campaign is part of the company’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - That curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The company said the campaign helps children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen communities.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser doubles as branding for The Learning Experience’s broader approach to early education. - The program extends learning beyond academics and ties classroom participation to social-emotional development. - The company is using a national nonprofit partnership to reinforce its mission and family-centered identity. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to high-quality childcare that goes beyond basic academics and is proud to partner with Make-A-Wish.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual fundraising campaign across its centers. - The company’s philanthropy curriculum will keep introducing children to service-based learning through hands-on activities. - The broader Make-A-Wish partnership is likely to remain a recurring part of the brand’s community outreach.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser became a lesson in empathy, community service and measurable impact.