Pretend City Community Challenge
Stand up for a child's right to learn through play!

There's no doubt that education is the key to success and Pretend City Children's Museum, Orange County's newest and most playful educational institution, is challenging our community to stand up for a child's right to learn through play.

What do we mean learn through play? Why learn through play? At Pretend City, each of our exhibits and programs are specifically designed to educate children through interactive learning experiences and purposeful play in a fun environment. This means by simply pretending to purchase items from our grocery store or calling our dispatch facility children are learning math and problem solving skills, all while playing.

Through everything from our educational classes and workshops to our developmental screenings and scholarship programs, we are preparing the children of our community to thrive in school, enjoy the learning process and become a leader of tomorrow, all through a tool which they completely understand – play.

But as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we only earn in revenue half of what it costs to provide such a quality educational experience and it is because of the generous support of our donors that we can continue to build the educational platforms which engage children in purposeful play.

Pretend City is calling upon the community to invest. Keep play alive! Keep the tool that all children love and need readily available.

Two prominent Orange County families are standing up by challenging the community to raise $500,000 by December 31, 2010 and have pledged to match the goal dollar for dollar, totaling $1 million dollars! And once we hit $150,000, build-out of the Pretend City Library begins.

No gift is too small. Collectively every donation benefits the children of our community, so give now!

How every dollar counts:
- 12 Gifts of $10 will provide art materials for an art studio project for 400 children.
- 50 gifts of $20 will provide 100 visits to underserved children.
- 75 gifts of $50 will provide enough sanitization products to clean the museum for three months.
- 30 gifts of $100 will pay for two special autism night programs at the museum.

Donate Now!



"I have witnessed my own children learning as they play in this wonderful facility and then carry those lessons back into the outside world. Educational breakthroughs really do happen every day before our eyes in this very extraordinary place." - Bill H. Lyon


"Pretend City has offered our family an opportunity to learn and grow together in a real-world educational environment. Nothing like this exists in our commuinity, and to be able to help promote this great project is truly special." - Jon Marashi, DDS
Join Us!
Join US
Special Message from Chairman & President
Win a year's worth of
Salon Gregories' services!
Read Raflle Details
See how children learn
through play in our Exhibits
View Slideshow
Help Us Build
Our Library
      
August 10 - Rockin' Style Salon
Help us kick off the Pretend City Fundraising Raffle and meet award winning hair stylist Dusty Simington. Join us for some fun "hair-raising" activities where children can pretend to be Dusty in our Pretend City salon! For this day only the art studio will be transformed into a salon where children can use Kronos products combined with their artistic talents to marry color, cuts and textures into progressive hair styles, apply "make-up", and choose a rock star outfit!

WHAT:
One lucky winner will receive one year's worth of Dusty's services, including:
  • Initial makeover and consultation.
  • One color and haircut every 4-6 weeks for one year.
  • Style / blow dry once a week.
  • During the Christmas / New Year's holiday week, style / blow dry twice a week.
  • Deep conditioning treatment once a week.
  • A one-year supply of Kronos products - Dusty's own line clinically proven hair care products developed to bring back youthful luster, shine, volume and vibrancy to your hair.
  • Exclusive style tips and first-look at new hair trends and colors.
  • You'll feel red-carpet ready!

WHO:
Internationally acclaimed Dusty Simington isn't just one of California's most sought-after stylists, he also has been named Master Stylist of the Year by the North American Hairstyling Awards — the styling industry's equivalent of winning an Academy Award.

His Salon Gregorie's in Newport Beach is the largest independent salon in the Western United States and boasts a clientele that reads like a who's who list of Hollywood celebrities. They come to Dusty because they knolw every clip, snip and flip will be flawless.

Dusty recently launched Kronos, an innovative hair care line.

PRICE:
1 ticket for $25 dollars or 5 tickets for $100

WHEN:
August 10, 2010 - August 29, 2010

HOW:
Beginning August 10th,
  • Tickets are available for purchase at the Pretend City front desk
  • Tickets are available for purchase at Salon Gregorie's in Newport Beach
  • You may purchase tickets by calling 949.428.3900 x218
  • You may download the raffle entry form from our website

August 29 - Dusty Draws a Winner!
What better way to help celebrate our 1st Anniversary than to draw the winner at our big birthday celebration! Dusty will be here in person to draw the winner and award them with a year's worth of services.
Special message from the President and Chairman of the Board

Dear Friends, Supporters and Community Members,

Since our much anticipated grand opening in August 2009, Pretend City has had over 150,000 visitors! It is so exciting to have positively impacted so many children, parents, caregivers and community members. Through our exhibits, classes, and programs ,we strive each day to fulfill our mission: build better brains through fun and whole body learning experiences, while empowering children and their grown-ups to meaningfully connect with and expand their world.

But just as we want to expand the world of our guests, we want to expand the museum and its educational offerings as well. In order to continue building on the educational foundation Pretend City provides, increase the number of exhibits, and support our daily operations, we need your help. Did you know that revenue generated by ticket sales, memberships and special events only covers 50% of the cost of operating the museum? That means we must raise an additional 50% through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations in order to provide exceptional educational experiences every day.

How can we financially secure the museum's continued impact for our children, our community and the generations that will follow? Pretend City is now challenging our community to stand up for a child's right to learn through play by investing in our future. Your generous donations will provide the funds necessary to:
We ask that you please make a contribution that will positively affect the lives of thousands of children each year. Direct donations to Pretend City can be made online at www.pretendcity.org, in designated donation boxes inside the museum, at the ticket counter in the lobby, or by calling 949-428-3900 ext.204. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

We hope that this letter has helped you, our friends, supporters and members, to understand the importance of your contribution. Your support is vital to building a strong community and a bright future for our children.

Sincerely Yours,

Pam Shambra Bill H. Lyon
President Chairman
Pretend City Children's Museum Pretend City Children's Museum