East Windsor Preschool Donates Thanksgiving Meals to Families

There has always been something good about Thanksgiving time: sharing food, being thankful, and spending time with friends and family.

That's the lesson over 100 preschoolers at The Learning Experience in East Windsor learned as they collected donations to provide Thanksgiving meals to local families in need.

Preschoolers and staff raised over $950 in just five days to donate to NJ Rise, a nonprofit organization assisting local families and individuals in recovering from setbacks and achieving their full potential. Each classroom at The Learning Experience in East Windsor had a goal of raising $75 towards a Thanksgiving meal for a family – and they all far exceeded the goal.

The holiday donation drive was part of The Learning Experience's ongoing philanthropy curriculum, which teaches the youngest of learners the value and application of helping others in the class, at home, and in their communities. Through the philanthropy curriculum, children get to meet a pair of fun-loving characters, Grace the Greyhound and Charity Chihuahua, who show children that it's not how big or small you are, it's the size of your heart that matters. Monthly philanthropic and fundraising events are also held to help children understand what it means to give, share, and donate.

"Philanthropy is a keystone of The Learning Experience curriculum, and each month we focus on giving back to the community," said Sapna Gahlot, owner of The Learning Experience in East Windsor. "During November, children not only learned to say and sign the word 'philanthropy', but they also took action by participating in a community fundraiser so that local families in need can have a special Thanksgiving meal."