The Learning Experience Parker raises $5,064 for Make-A-Wish

Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Parker, Colorado, raised $5,064 during the center’s April fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort tied early childhood education to philanthropy, teaching children kindness and community service while supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The Parker preschool campaign turned a classroom lesson in empathy into direct support for Make-A-Wish and children with critical illnesses. - The effort shows how early childhood programs can use real-world giving to teach kindness, generosity and community service. - The annual campaign also reinforces The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy curriculum across its network.

What happened: - Preschoolers at The Learning Experience in Parker, Colorado, raised $5,064 during the center’s month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff contributed through donations, fundraising events and classroom activities. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish and supported the goal of granting wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - Center leaders Neha Ranjan, Rohit Ranjan, Skylar Mace and Marissa Martien guided the activities. - The center’s philanthropic mascots, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, were part of the campaign.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children as part of the campaign. - Classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - The Learning Experience said the campaign is part of its proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The company said hands-on participation helps children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have collectively raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience operates more than 480 centers and has more than 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The company serves children from six weeks to six years old. - The Learning Experience also extends learning beyond the classroom through Bubbles and Friends, its educational media platform with original characters, music, video content and a companion app. - The company has received recognition including No. 1 Childcare Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and No. 1 Education Franchise by Franchise Business Review.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser doubles as a branding and values exercise, linking the preschool’s education model to community impact. - The campaign gives young children a concrete way to understand philanthropy through participation instead of abstract lessons. - The national Make-A-Wish totals suggest the Parker event is part of a larger, recurring companywide effort rather than a one-off fundraiser.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to continue using its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign as a recurring part of its philanthropy curriculum. - The Parker center can use the April fundraising model again to engage families, staff and preschoolers around community giving. - The company’s broader Make-A-Wish partnership appears set to continue as more centers participate nationwide.

The bottom line: - The Parker preschool raised money for Make-A-Wish while teaching children that giving back can start early and have a real community impact.