IRVINE, California (April 2026) – Guests gathered at the Newport Beach Country Club for Pretend City Children’s Museum’s 9th Annual Start Smart Luncheon on April 17. The event raised over $225,000 with proceeds funding early childhood development and learning for Pretend City. ‘Start Smart’ brought together champions – corporate and community leaders, education experts, and donors – who understand that healthy child development, early intervention, and play are critical for school readiness and a thriving workforce and community.
U.S. Bank was the presenting sponsor for the first time. Other major sponsors included Erin & Jack Boyl, Buchheim Family, Capital Group, EY, KPMG, Lion’s Heart, Lyon Air Museum, Kari & Darin Moore, Shah Family and Snyder Langston.
Expert panelists included Allina Amuchie, Partner Rutan & Tucker, LLP; Leona Aronoff-Sadacca, Retired CEO & Philanthropist; Larry Chung, VP Customer Solutions, SCE & Chair of the Orange County Business Council; Kim Goll, President & CEO, First 5 Orange County and moderator, Matthew Stewart, National Services Group, Co-founder & CEO and Podcaster, The Edge of Excellence. The panelists challenged us with a clear call to action: use your resources to support those who need them, build community through small, meaningful acts of kindness, lead with inclusion, and be a connector who brings people together by reaching out within your community.
The success of the 9th Annual Start Smart FUNdraising Luncheon is a testament to the commitment of the Pretend City Children’s Museum to provide early childhood education and programming to children in the community.
Since opening, Pretend City has seen over 2.6 million guests, distributed developmental screenings, hosted monthly specialized family events for Neurodivergent children and their families and facilitated scholarship field trips for the young, underserved Orange County community.
About Pretend City Children’s Museum
Pretend City Children’s Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, featuring an interconnected city designed to prepare children to meet milestones and prepare for school through imaginative play. Its learning spaces, developmental screenings, and tools for caregivers, are designed to balance playful learning and engagement for the entire family. For more information about Pretend City Children’s Museum and its commitment to fostering children’s development through play, please visit www.pretendcity.org
