Donor Spotlight >> 

Najm Family

Pretend City was on the search for a teardrop camper trailer for the Summer 2023 exhibit, Camping in the City – A Trek through Wilderness Park. Deborah and Nizar Najm and their family, owners of Off the Grid Rentals, answered the call! Passionate about the great outdoors and camping and the positive effects on child development, Deborah said, “We felt attached to the theme – bringing the outdoors into the ‘city’. If we can inspire children and families to explore, enjoy and respect nature by lending our teardrop camper to the museum and allow guests to see that a camper trailer might take away any fears of sheltering in the outdoors, we grow our family of outdoor enthusiasts. Camping provides family bonding time, and gets kids away from the ‘screen’, ready to discover real life adventure and possibilities.”

Deborah grew up going to a children’s museum in Los Angeles and has vivid memories of the play and hands-on experiences.. When she shared the opportunity of bringing the teardrop camper to Pretend City, her kids, Sara (20), Jonah (18) and Maxen (16) lit up and enthusiastically said “YES!”, recalling their own memories at Pretend City.

Off the Grid Rentals generously donated the opportunity for two families to win a weekend rental of a teardrop camper. “We want to share the importance that camping skills can introduce and build on as life skills.”

The Najm Family hopes that Pretend City continues to be a special place for every family. “Pretend City is a critical center bursting with vital resources, immersive activity, memory making, and boundless joy!”