Oceanside preschool raises $5,142 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Oceanside raised $5,142 in April through its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort mixed fundraising with classroom activities to teach preschoolers kindness, empathy and community service while supporting children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned early childhood education into real-world philanthropy, giving preschoolers a hands-on lesson in kindness, empathy and service. - The $5,142 donation supports Make-A-Wish efforts to grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The fundraiser also reinforces The Learning Experience’s broader mission to make a positive difference in children’s lives and in local communities.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Oceanside, N.Y., raised $5,142 during the school’s month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The campaign benefited Make-A-Wish. - Children took part in letters, fundraising events and classroom activities centered on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Gladys Lluberes, Johnny Lluberes and Kimberly Olave guided the campaign alongside the mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua.

The details: - 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 preschool said the effort helps children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen their communities. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to childcare and early education that goes beyond academics and is proud to partner with Make-A-Wish. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser shows how private early education programs can build social-emotional learning into community service, not just classroom instruction. - The campaign also gives The Learning Experience a visible national charity tie-in that connects local centers to a broader brand mission. - The school’s approach blends marketing, education and philanthropy, but the immediate impact is practical: money for wishes and a hands-on lesson for children.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is expected to continue its annual Make-A-Wish campaign at centers nationwide. - The company’s philanthropy curriculum will likely keep using classroom-based activities to reinforce giving and community service. - The Oceanside fundraiser adds to the brand’s long-running national total and may serve as a model for future local campaigns.

The bottom line: - A neighborhood preschool fundraiser became both a charity drive and a teachable moment, raising money for Make-A-Wish while showing young children how giving back works in practice.