The Learning Experience Manasquan raises $5,002 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Manasquan, New Jersey, raised $5,002 during the center’s April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to classroom lessons on kindness, empathy and giving back.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a local preschool fundraiser into direct support for children with critical illnesses through Make-A-Wish. - The effort also used real-world giving to teach young children about kindness, compassion and community service.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Manasquan raised $5,002 during its month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members contributed through donations, fundraising events and classroom activities. - The campaign supported Make-A-Wish and helped fund life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses.

The details: - Center leaders Agnieszka Callahan, Julia Golden, Jyoti Jhurani and Kiran Jhurani guided the campaign. - Preschoolers wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Children also took part in activities led by philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua.” - 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 company says the program helps children learn that small acts of giving can strengthen their communities. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The campaign blends fundraising with early childhood education, giving the preschool a community-service role beyond classroom instruction. - The initiative also reinforces The Learning Experience’s brand message around purposeful learning and social-emotional development. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the partnership with Make-A-Wish helps create a meaningful difference in the communities the company serves.

What’s next: - The Learning Experience is likely to keep using its annual Make-A-Wish campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company’s broader network of more than 480 open centers and 240 additional locations in development gives the program room to expand.

The bottom line: - A preschool fundraiser in Manasquan became both a community donation drive and an early lesson in empathy.