Phoenix preschool raises $20,221 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Phoenix’s Happy Valley neighborhood raised $20,221 during April’s “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied fundraising to early-childhood lessons in kindness, empathy and community service while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a preschool fundraiser into a hands-on lesson in giving back for young children. - The $20,221 raised will help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort shows how early childhood education programs can connect classroom learning with community impact.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Phoenix’s Happy Valley area took part in the center’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members raised $20,221 for Make-A-Wish during the month-long drive. - Center leaders Tali Stewart, Jim Stewart, Tara Burgess and Elizabeth Cruz guided the campaign. - Philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” were part of the effort.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers joined fundraising events. - Classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - The campaign is part of The Learning Experience’s philanthropy curriculum, which introduces kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate activities. - The curriculum is designed to show children that small acts of giving can help others and strengthen communities. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience says the campaign supports its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and the communities it serves.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser doubles as brand-building for The Learning Experience by reinforcing its education model and community role. - The recurring Make-A-Wish campaign gives the preschool a visible, repeatable way to teach empathy through real-world participation. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to high-quality childcare that goes beyond academics and to inspiring the next generation of philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign across its centers. - The Phoenix school will keep using philanthropy-based activities as part of its early education program. - More information is available through The Learning Experience's social channels, Happy Valley Instagram, Facebook page, YouTube channel and TikTok account.

The bottom line: - The Learning Experience’s Phoenix preschool raised money for Make-A-Wish while teaching children that philanthropy can be part of everyday learning.