Williamsburg preschool raises $5,028 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience Preschool in Williamsburg raised $5,028 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort mixed fundraising with classroom activities to teach children empathy, kindness and community service.

Why it matters: - The Williamsburg preschool campaign helped fund wishes for children living with critical illnesses through Make-A-Wish. - The effort also turned philanthropy into an early learning lesson on kindness, generosity and service. - The campaign shows how childcare programs can connect classroom learning to real community impact.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Williamsburg raised $5,028 during the center’s annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The campaign supported Make-A-Wish. - The fundraiser ran for one month. - The effort took place at The Learning Experience in Williamsburg, Va.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Children took part in fundraising events and classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Dr. Grace Huxtable-Mount, Jason Mount, Trinace Grant, Zuleika Natali and Sonia Rodriguez Ortiz guided the campaign. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” to bring the effort to life. - 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 activities. - The company said the campaign is designed to show children that small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The campaign doubles as a brand-building exercise for The Learning Experience, linking its education model to community service. - The fundraiser gives the company a way to demonstrate social impact while reinforcing its childcare curriculum. - The program suggests early childhood philanthropy can build awareness among families as well as children.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue the annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign at other centers. - The company will keep using its philanthropy curriculum to extend learning beyond the classroom. - The Williamsburg center is likely to remain part of the broader national Make-A-Wish fundraising effort.

The bottom line: - The Williamsburg preschool raised a modest sum, but the larger goal was teaching young children that giving back is part of learning.