4-year-old Oklahoma Borough girl uses Make-A-Wish request to support her preschool

A little girl with a big heart is giving back to her preschool.

Oklahoma Borough’s Nora Caporali, 4, presented her Explorers program at the West Vandergrift Early Learning Center with a new play area called “Nora’s Nook” and much-needed classroom supplies and furniture in a ceremony Thursday.

The gifts were made possible by Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, a nonprofit that grants wishes for children ages 2 to 18 who have critical illnesses. Nora was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia before she turned 2.

Nora’s decision to use her wish to help others at her school was born out of her close relationship with her teacher, Andrea Bennett, director of educational programs at the Valley Points Family YMCA and West Vandergrift Early Learning Center.

Nora’s gift includes additions to the academic and play areas and new classroom furniture, storage cubbies, a backpack cart, playhouse, toys and a new play area called “Nora’s Nook.”

Dana Antkowiak, manager of communications for Make-A-Wish, said the average monetary value of a wish is $4,400.

“As a family, we’re ecstatic to give back to our community,” said Jenelle Caporali, Nora’s mother. “(Her husband) Matt and I have tried to instill the importance of paying it forward to our girls, and this is an insurmountable example of such.”

Bennett has taught her Montessori- and Reggio Emilia method-­influenced classes for more than 30 years.

She said she is grateful for the gift and said annual school fundraising efforts are “never enough” and that the new items were greatly needed.

“I’m overwhelmed. This is the largest gift we’ve received. It’s so touching to have someone care about your program,” Bennett said.

Nora’s mother said she admires Bennett’s dedication to teaching.

“She’s always keeping the best interest of the children at heart, and it shows in a big way. Her creativity and passion is bar none, and every kiddo who has the blessing of having her in their lives is better for it. We’re extremely grateful for the love and compassion, both in the classroom and outside of it, she has shown our family,” Jenelle Caporali said.

Bennett described Nora as an enthusiastic student and said Nora missed half of the school year because of her ongoing chemotherapy treatment schedule.

“She loves the weather station, play kitchen, baby dolls and the cottage, ” Bennett said of Nora’s favorite class time activities.

Nora has enrolled in Bennett’s Explorer programs for two years and will attend Explorers class again in the fall.

Bennett often would drop off work for Nora to complete at home and stay late at school so Nora could visit after her classmates had left for the day to avoid exposure to germs.

“She (Bennett) has been a huge support as we navigated our journey and she always made sure Nora was on track with her classmates,” Jenelle Caporali said.

Nora completed her last chemo treatment in December and her mother said that Nora’s leukemia is in remission.

She visits UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for routine bloodwork and a checkup every four weeks.

“We’re captured by her resilience, determination and capability. She’s always excited to do various activities that she is involved with and just happy to be a part of it all,” Jenelle Caporali said.