Gala raises $255,000 for Pretend City Children’s Museum

Nearly 160 Orange County philanthropists and business leaders turned out to “Rock the City” on Saturday night, helping to raise $255,000 at the Pretend City Children’s Museum’s third annual fundraising gala.

The Irvine nonprofit said the money will benefit the museum’s educational offerings, including free autism and development screening programs for children.

Saturday’s event featured music, dinner and a live auction for prizes including a stay in a luxury home in Hawaii, an opportunity to have one’s child featured as a Pretend City All-Star with his or her image on the exterior of the building, a sleepover at the museum for 20 kids and their families and more.

- Rob Vardon