Colorado Springs preschool raises $10,762 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Colorado Springs raised $10,762 in April through its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The fundraiser tied early childhood lessons on kindness and empathy to real-world giving, with children, families and staff helping support wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Why it matters: - The campaign turned a preschool fundraiser into direct support for Make-A-Wish children with critical illnesses. - The effort also gave young children a hands-on lesson in kindness, empathy and community service. - The fundraiser reflects The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy curriculum, which is designed to connect learning with giving back.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in Colorado Springs held its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff raised $10,762 for Make-A-Wish during the month-long effort. - The campaign took place at the preschool in Banning Lewis Ranch. - Children took part in letters to wish children, fundraising events and classroom activities focused on compassion.

The details: - Center leaders Lasandra Talleyrand, Arnold Talleyrand, Jackie Talleyrand, Elisabeth Ealey and Cindy Bowerbank guided the campaign. - The preschool used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” to help bring the effort to life. - The fundraising supported wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - 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 activities. - The company says the hands-on format helps children understand that small acts of giving can strengthen their communities. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser is doing double duty: it generates money for charity while teaching social-emotional skills in the classroom. - The campaign also gives the brand a visible way to link early education with community impact. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to go beyond “the ABCs and 123s” and inspire the next generation of philanthropists.

What's next: - The Learning Experience says the annual campaign will continue as part of its early childhood education and philanthropy programming. - The company also says it will keep using real-world service projects to reinforce lessons on empathy and generosity. - More information is available through The Learning Experience’s social channels, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

The bottom line: - A Colorado Springs preschool fundraiser became both a charity drive and a lesson in giving, raising $10,762 for Make-A-Wish while teaching children how community service works.