Novi preschool raises $5,005 for Make-A-Wish campaign

The Learning Experience in Novi raised $5,005 in April through its annual Let’s Grant Wishes campaign, with preschoolers, families and staff supporting Make-A-Wish through donations, events and classroom activities. The effort tied early childhood learning to philanthropy and helped fund wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a local preschool fundraiser into direct support for Make-A-Wish and children living with critical illnesses. - The effort also used real-world giving to teach children kindness, empathy and community service. - The Learning Experience said the campaign reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Novi raised $5,005 during its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members took part in the month-long fundraiser. - The funds support Make-A-Wish and help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Center leaders Georgina Perez-Diaz, Lori Taulbee and Sandy Gani guided the campaign. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” to bring the program to life. - Children also joined fundraising events and classroom activities centered 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 activities. - The Learning Experience has raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish nationwide since 2018.

Between the lines: - The campaign blends education and fundraising, giving children a hands-on way to connect empathy with action. - The company is using philanthropy as part of its brand identity, not as a one-off charity effort. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the partnership with Make-A-Wish is meant to create a meaningful difference in communities while inspiring future philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign across its centers. - The company’s broader philanthropy curriculum will likely keep pairing classroom learning with service projects. - The national fundraising total should continue growing as more centers and families participate.

The bottom line: - A Novi preschool fundraiser became both a community donation drive and a lesson in giving back.