City Lights
City Lights>>
What is City Lights?
City Lights is a group of generous individuals who support Pretend City’s vision to ensure every young child experiences the joy of learning through play. Collectively donors invest in bringing children and families a high quality and unique environment where foundational skills are built for a lifetime of success and well-being.
A message from our City Lights Co-Chairs, Janice Christensen & Jolie Nguyen Wyatt
What’s the Issue?
Only half of Orange County’s children are developmentally ready for kindergarten, regardless of income level. (Source: Conditions of Children Report, First 5 Orange County)
Children are considered developmentally ready for school if they are on track in all five domains: social competence, physical health & well-being, emotional maturity, communication skills & general knowledge, and language & cognitive development. In a study of our kindergarteners, children were least ready in their prosocial and helping behavior (59% not ready or somewhat ready), communication skills and general knowledge (58%), overall social competence (54%) and gross and fine motor skills (48%).
How Can I Help?
What happens in early childhood sets the course of a child’s whole life. 90% of a child’s critical brain development happens by age 5. (Source: Center on the Developing Child of Harvard University)
In addition to the important immersive play you’re giving young children, you’re helping ensure Pretend City can offer free developmental and health screenings, parent education, Neurodivergent Family Nights and Title 1 field trips, as well as cultural programming.
Let’s Light Up The City, Together!
Join today with your gift of $1,000 or more. There are no limits to what your gift can do for Pretend City’s kids.
Your generosity ignites the boundless opportunities found in Pretend City where play has purpose, learning is endless, and parents find crucial support.
To learn more, contact Barbara Powers at barbara.powers@pretendcity.org
I’m so happy to have discovered the Baby Steps events! What keeps us coming back is the fact that it’s for a relatively small group of kids who are similar in physical size and cognitive development. I love that Stella can be in charge of what we do each time we visit. She always seems to gravitate toward something different, so the variety provided is excellent! – The Zambanini Family 
Credit Card: Give Online
Checks: Make payable to Pretend City Children’s Museum and note City Lights in the memo.
Mail to:
Pretend City Children’s Museum
Attn: City Lights Giving Circle
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
City Lights Benefits
What can I expect as a City Lights Member?
· Two tickets to our member exclusive Light Up the City Celebration in November
· Invitations to Pretend City’s special events and programs like learning space Grand Openings, Meet Me at the Museum, Breakfast with Santa, and more.
· Invitations to Pretend City’s annual fundraising events like Start Smart Luncheon and Annual Poker Challenge
· City Lights member special recognition in our donor appreciation listings
· E-newsletters and impact reports to see what’s happening in the City
· Family membership if desired.
· And many opportunities to connect with other City Light members and the beneficiaries of your City Lights contribution
Maximizing on the experiences prepared at Pretend City has positively changed Takeo’s life as he’s developed from a 1 to 2-year-old. I am grateful there is a safe place like Pretend City for my son to grow and thrive in. –Elizabeth Kimura
City Lights 2026 Calendar – Save the Date!
Let’s Light Up The City, Together!
February
Meet Me at the Museum at Pretend City – Wednesday, February 25 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
March
Kidstock Arts & Music Festival Opening – TBD
April
Start Smart Luncheon – Friday, April 17 at Newport Beach Country Club
Tickets: $175 and sponsorship opportunities available
May
Summer Arts Experience Opening: Wonder Studio – TBD
July
Cocktails and Conversation: A Happy Hour with our Board of Directors – To be uncorked soon!
September
Grandparents Day (up to four free grandparent tickets) – Sunday, September 13 at Pretend City
Playraiser: Building Big Dreams Family Event & VIP Reception – Sunday, September 27 at Pretend City
October
17th Annual Poker Challenge- TBD at Big Canyon Country Club Tickets: $500 and sponsorship opportunities available
December
VIP Breakfast with Santa – Sunday, December 6 at Pretend City
Thank you for your generosity as a City Lights Founding Member!
| Alex and Alan Airth Amort Construction, Inc. Floyd and Allina Amuchie Sergio and Melinda Andonian Anonymous Sandy Avzaradel, Early Childhood Advocate Michelle and Brady Barto Sarah and Alec Berendt Barb and Scott Bitzer Blackburn Family Brandy and Ryan Blackmore Travis and Leslie Boyd Erin and Jack Boyl Laura and Todd Brooks Elliot and Jennifer Brown Jennifer and Peter Buchheim C&M Floors Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Cahill Campos Cabada Family Sally Carlson The Cashion Foundation Cherry Chang Ryan & Brooke Chase Iva and Aaron Chen Elizabeth and Eric Chiu Jannie and John Christensen The Clay Family Jon and Kristen Collins Elizabeth Colton and Mel Honowitz Pam and Ken Cruse Mai, Steven, Noah and Selene Cundiff Lesly and John Davenport Onur and Burcin Demirkaya Roger and Sandy De Young Andre Dhont/Dhont Family Foundation Barbara Dove Derek and Amy Draper DrFormulas Ben and Taylor Drutman Marisa and Tim Dukovich Kevin Dunlap Jennifer and Joe John Duran Greg and Jennifer Ellis Reesa and Hirad Emadi Sue and Jerry Farmer Janice & David Fisher Aaron Fletcher Brigitte and Craig Frankel |
Brigitte and Craig Frankel |
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Thank you for your generosity as a City Lights Founding Member!
| Alex and Alan Airth Amort Construction, Inc. Floyd and Allina Amuchie Sergio and Melinda Andonian Anonymous Sandy Avzaradel, Early Childhood Advocate Michelle and Brady Barto Sarah and Alec Berendt Barb and Scott Bitzer Blackburn Family Brandy and Ryan Blackmore Travis and Leslie Boyd Erin and Jack Boyl Laura and Todd Brooks Elliot and Jennifer Brown Jennifer and Peter Buchheim C&M Floors Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Cahill Campos Cabada Family Sally Carlson The Cashion Foundation Cherry Chang Ryan & Brooke Chase Iva and Aaron Chen Elizabeth and Eric Chiu Jannie and John Christensen The Clay Family Jon and Kristen Collins Elizabeth Colton and Mel Honowitz Pam and Ken Cruse Mai, Steven, Noah and Selene Cundiff Lesly and John Davenport Onur and Burcin Demirkaya Roger and Sandy De Young Andre Dhont/Dhont Family Foundation Barbara Dove Derek and Amy Draper DrFormulas Ben and Taylor Drutman Marisa and Tim Dukovich Kevin Dunlap Jennifer and Joe John Duran Greg and Jennifer Ellis Reesa and Hirad Emadi Sue and Jerry Farmer Janice & David Fisher Aaron Fletcher Brigitte and Craig Frankel |Valerie Fryer Maggie and Mark Giannasi Rita and Ira Goldberg David and Kendall Gomez Moises and Jordan Gonzalez Natalia Gouvora and Anton Kedin Sue and Ken Harrison Eric & Jennifer Hayden Morris and Esther Horowitz Family Fund Sharon and Jarrod Ingle Kevin Jhangiani and Payal Dholakiya Karen Jordan, Charles Schwab Elizabeth and Keith Katkin Bryan and Chiho Kelly Lindsay and Matt Kelly Florence Kim Jessica Kwon-Nguyen and Tony Nguyen Ameen and Salima Lalani Ramona Lawson Ed and Mimi Lee Allison Liem Loaves & Fishes Foundation Jo-E Lopez, Snyder Langston Thomas William Lotts Bill H. and Nichole Lyon Maddox Family Peggy Maddox Bahareh & Kam Mahdi Colleen and Gregory Mateo Rick and Adrienne Matros Dave and Marie May Tiffany McCain Alyson and Tom McCance Casey and Alison McCracken Doris and Kevin McHenry The Medina Family: Jose, Jimmee, Cataleya, Xavier Steven L. Miller, Morgan Lewis Kathy and Gabriel Mohanna Mark and Desiree Montoya Kari and Darin Moore Andrew and Kortney Morrow The Munson Family JD Nanci Eva & David Neeleman Gary Nguyen Ian and Joyce Nuguit Evan Ocepek Rachel & Dick Owens Ellen Pais and Ed Honowitz Peachy Pascual Dale Peffer Karina and Ronnie Pentz Ron Pentz, Jr. Jason Rich, Snyder Langston Lisa and Duleep Rodrigo Tom Rogers and Sally Anderson Kathy and Dennis Ruvolo Kathy Schwarz Mona and Rup Shah Matt and Jodie Sivewright Danny and Kerri Sonenshine Susan Song Paul and Debby Spinner Joe Stapleton Dave and Robyn Stauffer Diana and Larry Stern Jill and Matt Stewart Nigel Stobart & Kim Letch Stobart| Sandy and Lynn Stone Adina and Joshua Stowell Andria and Peter Strelow Nancy and Lou Stremick Kyle and Breanna Suryan Trevor and Tori Tait The Tilley Family Janice & Toan Ton Carl and Karen Tong Lilly and Alex Topacio Jo Toscana and Joe Menard Yeshin and Steven Tsao Garth and Alison Wallace Richard Ward Maureen and Mike Wauters Nella Webster O’ Grady Zachary and Tanya Wesley Sheila and Jay Witzling Patrick and Nicole Wolfe Monica and Randy Wong Randy and Myra Wood Jolie & Zack Wyatt Leslee Young Yu Family Charlie and Ling Zhang Desiree and Shan Zubair |
Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Pretend City is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Our tax ID# is 33-0761254. You will be mailed an official acknowledgment letter with a tax receipt.
($90 for family membership and $170 for 2 tickets to the Appreciation Dinner if taken)
Pretend City Children's Museum
29 Hubble Irvine, CA 92618
949-428-3900
info@pretendcity.org
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To protect the health of Pretend City Children’s Museum community, we ask families to please only come play with us on days that everyone is feeling well.
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