Leam to be Surprised by Make-A-Wish & The Learning Experience,
Kicking Off Nationwide Multi-Million Dollar “Let’s Grant Wishes” Campaign
Manalapan, NJ – On Tuesday, April 4th, nine-year-old Leam will receive the exciting news that his fondest wish, to travel to the islands of Aloha in Hawaii with his family, is about to come true just one week later. Leam, who has courageously battled a critical illness and faced the fears and anxieties that come with a life-threatening diagnosis, has always had a love of turtles, and wanted to see the majestic creatures with his own eyes. He also wished to snorkel, zipline, hike and participate in all the exciting nature activities the tropical islands offer.
Leam’s wish is being granted in partnership with The Learning Experience and is the first official wish to be granted as part of the 2023 “Let’s Grant Wishes” Campaign, benefiting Make-A-Wish. For the month of April, The Learning Experience centers across the entire country will fundraise for Make-A-Wish to help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign raised $1.5 million in April 2022, $500,000 in New Jersey, and has cumulatively raised nearly $3 million nationwide since their partnership began in 2018.
Leam’s surprise celebration will take place at The Learning Experience of Manalapan at 2:00pm on Tuesday. He will arrive with his family under the guise of a special video project that Make-A-Wish is producing, completely unaware that he will walk into a celebration in his honor, filled with cheering crowds, confetti cannons, and the delivery of his wish by Make-A-Wish and The Learning Experience – and of course, The Learning Experience’s mascot, Bubbles the Elephant. Leam will find out that it’s time to pack his bags because his flights have been booked and he’s off to Hawaii.
During Leam’s surprise party, he will find out all about his weeklong trip to paradise, which will include adventures on an epic turtle tour adventure with breathtaking views and a chance to meet the majestic Honu (Sea Turtles), while jumping into the waters on the North Shore. They will also experience a submarine tour within view of the iconic Leahi state monument which is frequented by green sea turtles, sharks, yellow tangs, eels, and many other species of underwater marine life. Most importantly, Leam, his parents and his younger sister will also have the chance to exhale, relax and enjoy the tropical sun, serving as a welcome respite from the challenges they face together.
The celebration will include a live meet and greet with sea turtles from Jenkinson’s Aquarium, a Hawaiian themed performance with fire and dancing, and a Kona Ice Shaved Ice Truck to top off the day.
The Learning Experience "Let's Grant Wishes" campaign is part of its ongoing philanthropy curriculum which continuously teaches children the importance of kindness, inclusion, giving back, and helping others. The annual fundraiser helps little learners at The Learning Experience put the important life values they've learned all year into action, raising vital funds for Make-A-Wish and educating future philanthropists that it doesn't matter how big or small you are, it's the size of your heart that matters.
WHAT:
Surprise Reveal and Sendoff Party for Leam’s Wish to go to Hawaii
WHERE:
The Learning Experience
65 New Jersey Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
1:30PM Media Arrival / 2:00PM Leam Arrival
MORE:
Karen Rosen, the owner of the Manalapan location of The Learning Experience, is also the mother of wish kid Bryce, whose wish to meet the New York Mets during Spring Training was granted in 2019. Bryce’s parents and siblings to this day reflect on the experience as nothing short of life changing. Karen has devoted herself to supporting the mission of Make-A-Wish and helping other children like her son experience the life-changing power of a wish. Karen has played a vital role in the local success of The Learning Experience’s fundraising efforts in New Jersey since the partnership began in 2018.
In September of 2021, Karen and her family suffered the devastating and life-altering blow of the loss of their son Bryce. Despite experiencing this unexpected tragedy, Karen’s commitment to our mission was undeterred. At The Learning Experience national convention in early 2022, just mere months after the loss of her fourteen-year-old boy, Karen made a commitment to raise $25,000 during the upcoming April campaign. Karen’s dedication to Make-A-Wish, in loving memory of her son, inspired an entire community and members of The Learning Experience senior leadership matched Karen’s commitment and by the end of the 2022 campaign, The Learning Experience Manalapan raised an astounding $75,000, directly funding wishes in New Jersey.
About The Learning Experience
The Learning Experience is one of the most trusted brands in the childcare industry with more than 350 centers across the U.S. and U.K. providing the highest quality of care and early education to over 40,000 children from 6 weeks to 6 years old. The Learning Experience's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children, their families, and the communities it serves. Family-founded with a passion for early childhood education and a unique approach that drives learning and development through the eyes of a child, it has been an industry leader for more than 20 years. The Learning Experience's continuous dedication to providing best-in-class childcare and early education has garnered many accolades over the years, including its recent recognition as the No. 1 childcare franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and the No. 1 education franchise by Franchise Business Review. For more information, visit www.thelearningexperience.com.
About Make-A-Wish® New Jersey
Make-A-Wish New Jersey creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. In the fight against a critical illness, a wish serves as a catalyst for renewed strength and encouragement for every child and family on their journey. A wish helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life. We believe a single wish transforms lives. With their national headquarters based in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 58 chapters serving children in every community in the United States and its territories, and nearly 40 international affiliates serving children on five continents, and over 550,000 wishes granted globally. Make-A-Wish New Jersey was founded in 1983. Serving children in every municipality in the Garden State, Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted nearly 12,000 wishes since its inception. For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, call 800-252-WISH or visit nj.wish.org and discover how you can help transform lives, one wish at a time.