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 
To learn more, contact Barbara Powers at barbara.powers@pretendcity.org
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 of four 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 2025 Calendar – Save the Date!
Let’s Light Up The City, Together!
January
Grand Opening of renovated Amphitheater – January 31
March
Introduction of Farmhouse Rescue Partnership – March 5
Meet our Home’s Newest Family – March 26
April
Start Smart Luncheon – April 25 at Newport Beach Country Club.
Tickets $175 and sponsorship opportunities available.
May
Grand Opening of Summer Exhibit – May 23
June
Volunteer Impact Day with Second Harvest – June 6
August
Pretend City’s 16th Birthday Celebration – August 29
September
Grandparents Day – September 7 (up to 4 free tickets to provide to grandparents)
Grand Opening of Cafe – September 25
October
Annual Poker Challenge – October 23
at Big Canyon Country Club.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities available.
November
Exclusive member event, Light Up the City Celebration – November 14
December
VIP Breakfast with Santa– December 7
Thank you for your generosity as a City Lights member!
Alex & Alan Airth
Amort Construction, Inc.
Allina & Floyd Amuchie
Sally Anderson and Tom Rogers
Sergio Andonian
Anonymous
Sandy Avzaradel, Early Childhood Advocate
KP Balkrishna
Eric Bambury
Michelle & Brady Barto
Sarah & Alec Berendt
Barb & Scott Bitzer
Blackburn Family
Brandy & Ryan Blackmore
Leslie & Travis Boyd
Erin & Jack Boyl
Tim Britt
Laura & Todd Brooks
Jennifer & Elliot Brown
Jennifer & Peter Buchheim
C&M Floors
Campos Cabada Family
Sally Carlson
The Cashion Foundation
Cherry Chang
Tania & Steve Chao
Brooke & Ryan Chase
Jannie & John Christensen
The Clay Family
Greg Danz
Lesly & John Davenport
Barbara Dove
Dr Formulas
Taylor & Ben Drutman
Marisa & Tim Dukovich
Jennifer & Joe John Duran
Reesa & Hirad Emadi
Sue & Jerry Farmer
Linda & Manley Fong
Andrew Gabriel
Greg Gabriel
Nick Gabriel
Minnette Gallardo
Fiona Gerbershagen
Maggie Giannasi
Kendall and David Gomez
Jordan and Moises Gonzalez
Natalia Gouvora and Anton Kedin
Harriet Harris
Sue and Ken Harrison
Eric and Jennifer Hayden
Morris and Esther Horowitz Family Fund
Jon Hughes
Karen Jordan and Jeff Calborn
Kairos Investment Management Company
Elizabeth and Keith Katkin
Lindsay and Matt Kelly
Sherry and Parker Kennedy
Joanne Kozberg
Hema and Ramesh Krish
Sarah and Rick Krugh
Jessica Kwon-Nguyen and Tony Nguyen
Ramona Lawson
Mimi and Ed Lee
Kim Letch Stobart and Nigel Stobart
Allison Liem
Nichole and Bill Lyon
Maddox Family
Colleen and Gregory Mateo
Tiffany McCain
Alyson and Tom McCance
Alison and Casey McCracken
Doris and Kevin McHenry
The Medina Family: Jose, Jimmee, Cataleya, Xavier
Tracy Miller-Weiner and Rick Weiner
Ana and Bob Mitchell
Kathy and Gabriel Mohanna
Desiree and Mark Montoya
Kari & Darin Moore
Andrew Morrow
Granaz & Iman Movahed
Dara & Danny Mullarkey
Marina Myslivec & James Chan
Rachel Owens
Ellen Pais & Ed Honowitz
Peachy Pascual
Dale Peffer
Ron Pentz, Jr.
Anya Popov & Josh Mermelstein
Francine & David Raskin
Marie & Paul Reim
Lisa & Duleep Rodrigo
Mark Rogers
Dana & Kevin Rubin
Kathy & Dennis Ruvolo
Jackie Sanson
Mona & Rup Shah
Janice Song & David Fisher
Debby & Paul Spinner
Jessica & Ryan Steelberg
Mary Kay & Ron Stephens
Commie & Clay Stevens
Jill & Matt Stewart
Sandy & Lynn Stone
Adina & Joshua Stowell
Nancy & Lou Stremick
Breanna & Kyle Suryan
Tori & Trevor Tait
Michelle & Jordan Taormina
Maria Tinajero-Dowdle & Paul Dowdle
Janice & Toan Ton
Karen & Carl Tong
Lilly & Alex Topacio
Cristal & Niko Valdes
Richard Ward
Maureen & Mike Wauters
Nella Webster O’ Grady
Sheila & Jay Witzling
Monica & Randy Wong
Myra & Randy Wood
Jolie & Zack Wyatt
Feifei Xu & Wenlin Zhang
Yu Family
Ling & Charlie Zhang
Desiree & Shan Zubair
Thank you for your generosity as a City Lights member!
Kathy Abels
Alex & Alan Airth
Amort Construction, Inc.
Allina & Floyd Amuchie
Sally Anderson and Tom Rogers
Sergio Andonian
Anonymous
Sandy Avzaradel, Early Childhood Advocate
KP Balkrishna
Eric Bambury
Michelle & Brady Barto
Sarah & Alec Berendt
Barb & Scott Bitzer
Blackburn Family
Brandy & Ryan Blackmore
Leslie & Travis Boyd
Erin & Jack Boyl
Tim Britt
Laura & Todd Brooks
Jennifer & Elliot Brown
Jennifer & Peter Buchheim
C&M Floors
Campos Cabada Family
Sally Carlson
The Cashion Foundation
Cherry Chang
Tania & Steve Chao
Brooke & Ryan Chase
Jannie & John Christensen
The Clay Family
Greg Danz
Lesly & John Davenport
Barbara Dove
Dr Formulas
Taylor & Ben Drutman
Marisa & Tim Dukovich
Jennifer & Joe John Duran
Reesa & Hirad Emadi
Sue & Jerry Farmer
Linda & Manley Fong
Andrew Gabriel
Greg Gabriel
Nick Gabriel
Minnette Gallardo
Fiona Gerbershagen
Maggie Giannasi
Kendall and David Gomez
Jordan and Moises Gonzalez
Natalia Gouvora and Anton Kedin
Harriet Harris
Sue and Ken Harrison
Eric and Jennifer Hayden
Morris and Esther Horowitz Family Fund
Jon Hughes
Karen Jordan and Jeff Calborn
Kairos Investment Management Company
Elizabeth and Keith Katkin
Lindsay and Matt Kelly
Sherry and Parker Kennedy
Joanne Kozberg
Hema and Ramesh Krish
Sarah and Rick Krugh
Jessica Kwon-Nguyen and Tony Nguyen
Ramona Lawson
Mimi and Ed Lee
Kim Letch Stobart and Nigel Stobart
Allison Liem
Nichole and Bill Lyon
Maddox Family
Colleen and Gregory Mateo
Tiffany McCain
Alyson and Tom McCance
Alison and Casey McCracken
Doris and Kevin McHenry
The Medina Family: Jose, Jimmee, Cataleya, Xavier
Tracy Miller-Weiner and Rick Weiner
Ana and Bob Mitchell
Kathy and Gabriel Mohanna
Desiree and Mark Montoya
Kari & Darin Moore
Andrew Morrow
Granaz & Iman Movahed
Dara & Danny Mullarkey
Marina Myslivec & James Chan
Larry Null
Rachel Owens
Ellen Pais & Ed Honowitz
Peachy Pascual
Dale Peffer
Ron Pentz, Jr.
Anya Popov & Josh Mermelstein
Francine & David Raskin
Marie & Paul Reim
Lisa & Duleep Rodrigo
Mark Rogers
Dana & Kevin Rubin
Kathy & Dennis Ruvolo
Jackie Sanson
Mona & Rup Shah
Janice Song & David Fisher
Debby & Paul Spinner
Jessica & Ryan Steelberg
Mary Kay & Ron Stephens
Commie & Clay Stevens
Jill & Matt Stewart
Sandy & Lynn Stone
Adina & Joshua Stowell
Nancy & Lou Stremick
Breanna & Kyle Suryan
Tori & Trevor Tait
Michelle & Jordan Taormina
Maria Tinajero-Dowdle & Paul Dowdle
Janice & Toan Ton
Karen & Carl Tong
Lilly & Alex Topacio
Cristal & Niko Valdes
Richard Ward
Maureen & Mike Wauters
Nella Webster O’ Grady
Sheila & Jay Witzling
Monica & Randy Wong
Myra & Randy Wood
Jolie & Zack Wyatt
Feifei Xu & Wenlin Zhang
Yu Family
Ling & Charlie Zhang
Desiree & 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 of four membership and $170 for 2 tickets to the Appreciation Dinner)
Pretend City Children's Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
949-428-3900
info@pretendcity.org
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