RIVERVIEW, Fla. — The Learning Experience in Riverview just wrapped up its Let’s Grant Wishes lesson where the school kids learned all about empathy and helping others by raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

While it is graduation season and as kids are moving up to their next level, one group of kids in Hillsborough County is having a lesson about kindness.

The pre-K class at The Learning Experience in Riverview is finishing a magical lesson.

What You Need To Know

  • The Learning Experience is teaming up again with Make-A-Wish in their Let's Grant Wishes campaign

  • Preschoolers at the Riverview center learned about kindness and making a difference in the lives of deserving children

  • The 2024 campaign has raised more than $2 million, so far

Each of the students’ projects has a specific purpose.

“The stars that I make are for making wishes,” said Mia Estrada, a preschooler at the center. “It’s for sick kids to make them feel better.”

Then it is off to making things better.

“Stand on the dot, get your magic dust out of your pocket, sprinkle it on your wand,” said The Learning Experience preschool teacher Sandra Collins to the students who had handdrawn wands with them. “Ready? Let’s grant wishes.”

Every year, The Learning Experience teams up with Make-A-Wish and together do the Let’s Grant Wishes fundraiser.

The money raised goes to help the wishes come true for critically ill children.

The lesson learned is priceless.

“Sometimes, it just takes a smile,” said Collins. “A smile can just change everything for anybody.”

Collins said her students have learned about more than just making wishes come true.

“They’re more empathetic towards each other,” she said. “They’re more willing to help each other whenever one is hurt because they see that all you need is a helping hand.”

The students are getting a little more than just the feel-good lesson.

“I am having fun,” said Mia.

It shows how just one kind gesture can go a long way to help someone else who is not feeling too well.

So far, The Learning Experience has raised more than $2.2 million at centers across the country.

They have surpassed last year’s fundraising goal.