Goodyear preschool raises $5,000 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Goodyear raised $5,000 during an April fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort mixed classroom activities with donations and events, aiming to teach young children kindness and philanthropy while supporting children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign shows how early childhood education programs can connect classroom learning with real-world giving. - The $5,000 raised will support Make-A-Wish efforts for children living with critical illnesses. - The initiative also reinforces The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy curriculum focused on kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Goodyear raised $5,000 during the preschool’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. - The month-long fundraiser ran in April. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish. - The effort included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers took part in activities centered on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Mikayla Miller and LaShonda Abijah guided the campaign. - The preschool’s philanthropic mascots, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, helped bring the campaign to life. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to provide high-quality childcare and early education that goes beyond academics and create a meaningful difference in communities. - The Learning Experience’s proprietary philanthropy curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences.

Between the lines: - The Goodyear campaign is part of a national fundraising effort, not a one-off local event. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The program gives families and staff a shared activity that doubles as an early lesson in empathy. - The effort also serves as brand-building for The Learning Experience by linking its education model to community service.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign across its centers. - The company will likely keep using hands-on philanthropy activities as part of its early education model. - Make-A-Wish will continue to benefit from contributions raised through participating Learning Experience locations.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser delivered a modest but meaningful donation while teaching young children that giving back can start early.