The Learning Experience Paramus Raises $21,389 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience preschool in Paramus, New Jersey, raised $21,389 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser tied classroom activities to philanthropy, showing how early childhood education can teach kindness while supporting children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The fundraiser helped support Make-A-Wish and its work granting wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The campaign also turned a preschool program into a lesson in empathy, generosity and community service. - The effort shows how early childhood education can connect classroom learning to real-world giving.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Paramus, New Jersey, took part in the center’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. - The month-long campaign ran in April. - Children, families and staff raised $21,389 for Make-A-Wish. - Center leaders Emma Riscen and Nesibe Kilic guided the activities. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” also took part.

The details: - Preschoolers wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Families and staff donated and joined fundraising events. - Classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - 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 preschool says the campaign teaches children that small acts of giving can strengthen their 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 fundraising drive and a branding exercise for the preschool chain’s mission-driven approach. - The result suggests families and staff responded to a structured charitable program, not just a one-time appeal. - The initiative also extends The Learning Experience’s educational model beyond academics into character development.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue its annual Make-A-Wish campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The company says it will keep using hands-on experiences to teach children about giving back and community impact. - The network’s broader fundraising total for Make-A-Wish may keep growing as more centers participate.