The Learning Experience Howell raises $5,001 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Howell Township, New Jersey, raised $5,001 during an April fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied philanthropy to early childhood learning, teaching children kindness, empathy and community service while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned classroom learning into real-world philanthropy for preschoolers in Howell Township, New Jersey. - The $5,001 raised will support Make-A-Wish and help grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort reinforces The Learning Experience’s goal of teaching kindness, empathy and community service alongside early education.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Howell Township took part in the annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” fundraising campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff raised $5,001 during the month-long effort. - The fundraiser benefited Make-A-Wish. - Center leaders James Winschel, Tara Talarico, Erin Kraft and Rosha Sakovits guided the campaign. - The center’s philanthropic mascots, “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua,” also supported the effort.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers participated in fundraising events. - Classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - That curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The Learning Experience said the program shows children that small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - The campaign extended learning beyond the classroom by connecting lessons to service.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser gives The Learning Experience a visible way to link its education brand to community impact. - The Make-A-Wish partnership also provides a concrete example of how preschool programs can teach social-emotional skills through action, not just instruction. - 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 wants to provide childcare and early education that goes beyond basic academics and create a meaningful difference in communities.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue the annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - Additional centers across the company’s network may keep contributing to Make-A-Wish in future years. - The company’s broader early education and media platforms, including L.E.A.P.® Curriculum and Bubbles and Friends®, remain part of its child development model.

The bottom line: - The Howell Township preschool raised money for Make-A-Wish and used the campaign to teach young children how giving back works in practice.