South Lyon preschool raises $5,118 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in South Lyon West raised $5,118 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign, involving preschoolers, families and staff in support of Make-A-Wish. The effort ties early education to philanthropy by teaching children kindness, empathy and community service through hands-on activities.

Why it matters: - The campaign gave preschoolers a real-world lesson in kindness, empathy and giving back. - The $5,118 raised will help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The effort shows how early childhood education can connect classroom learning to community impact.

What happened: - The Learning Experience in South Lyon West held its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” fundraising campaign in April. - Preschoolers, families and staff members raised $5,118 for Make-A-Wish during the month-long effort. - The campaign included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children as part of the campaign. - Center leaders Cynthia Umphrey, Mollie Blixt, Melissa Boitos, Sierra Zaban, Elizabeth Kraszewski and Alicia Shepherd guided the activities. - Philanthropic mascots Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua helped bring the program to life. - The Learning Experience says the campaign is part of its proprietary philanthropy curriculum. - The curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - 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 fundraising is also a branding signal for The Learning Experience, which places early philanthropy alongside childcare and education. - The program turns a charity drive into a hands-on learning exercise, which can deepen participation from families and staff. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company is committed to going beyond the ABCs and 123s and is proud to partner with Make-A-Wish.

What's next: - The annual campaign will likely continue as part of The Learning Experience’s broader philanthropy program. - The Learning Experience says the effort will keep helping children understand how small acts of giving can strengthen communities. - The company also plans to continue expanding, with more than 480 centers open and over 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser became both a charitable contribution and an early lesson in civic responsibility.