South Lyon preschool raises $5,131 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in South Lyon Twp raised $5,131 during its April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign to support Make-A-Wish and teach preschoolers about kindness and giving back. The effort is part of the company’s broader philanthropy curriculum, which has raised more than $11.5 million nationwide for Make-A-Wish since 2018.

Why it matters: - The campaign tied early childhood education to real-world philanthropy, giving preschoolers hands-on lessons in empathy, generosity and community service. - The money supports Make-A-Wish children living with critical illnesses, helping fund life-changing wishes. - The effort also shows how a local preschool can turn classroom learning into measurable community impact.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in South Lyon Twp raised $5,131 during the preschool’s month-long April “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign. - The fundraiser benefited Make-A-Wish. - The campaign included donations, fundraising events and classroom activities. - Children also wrote encouraging letters to wish children.

The details: - Center leaders Cynthia Umphrey, Mollie Blixt, Heather Trubak, Lauren Everett, Sierra Zaban and Alicia Shepherd guided the campaign. - The preschool’s philanthropic mascots, “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua,” were part of the effort. - The campaign was designed to teach kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - The Learning Experience says the program extends learning beyond the classroom and helps children understand the value of giving back. - Since 2018, children, families and staff across The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish. - The Learning Experience operates more than 480 centers and has over 240 additional locations in development across the U.S. and U.K. - The company serves children from six weeks to six years old. - The company’s proprietary L.E.A.P.® Curriculum focuses on cognitive, social and emotional development. - The company also runs Bubbles and Friends®, an educational media platform with original characters, music, video content and a companion app. - The Learning Experience says it has been recognized as the No. 1 Childcare Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and the No. 1 Education Franchise by Franchise Business Review.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser is part of a broader effort to build a service mindset early, not just raise money once a year. - The campaign gives a local example of how private early education programs are using philanthropy as part of their brand and curriculum. - Brad Wahl, chief operating officer of The Learning Experience, said the company aims to go beyond “the ABCs and 123s” and create a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

What's next: - The Learning Experience is likely to keep using its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign as part of its philanthropy curriculum. - National fundraising totals for Make-A-Wish will continue to grow as additional centers participate. - The South Lyon effort may serve as a template for similar community campaigns at other centers.