Local Youth Spread Autism Awareness on Global Youth Service Day

The Youth Leadership Council at Pretend City Children’s Museum joined millions of other young people around the world to celebrate Global Youth Service Day, April 11 to 13, 2014. Now in its 26th year, Global Youth Service Day recognizes the positive impact that young people have on their communities 365 days a year. As the largest service event in the world, Global Youth Service Day is celebrated in more than 135 countries and all 50 states.

The group of 18 committed high school students were rewarded the Disney Friends for Change Youth Grant through YSA (Youth Service America) to create a short film on Autism Awareness. Grants were awarded to children and teens to lead projects that make a positive, lasting change in the world. The film that was shown at the Imaginology Youth Expo – OC Fair this past weekend explains the disorder from the perspective of parents, siblings, therapists and service providers.

Hundreds of youth and families watched the video and showed their support for the cause by signing large puzzle pieces that were hung alongside the Disney Friends for Change banner.

The Pretend City Youth Leadership Council has a mission of positively impacting their communities through leadership, philanthropy, education and awareness. They will be hosting their first fundraising event, Family Game Night, on May 19th from 5:30-8:00pm at Pretend City Children’s Museum. Families are encouraged to spend quality time together enjoying a night of playing classic and new favorite games for all ages! Registration is available on their website at www.pretendcity.org.

Megan is an Orange County implant from Las Vegas who currently resides in Rancho Santa Margarita. She is the loving wife to her college sweetheart & mother to her very active 2 year old son, Declan. Most recently she has added “unpredictable pregnant lady” to her list of titles as she is expecting a little one later this year. Besides being mother, housewife & pregnant woman extraordinaire, she is also the VP of Sales & Marketing for www.spitfiresocialmedia.com. When she’s not busy helping businesses take the viral world by storm, you can usually find her strolling around RSM Lake, biking through O’Neill Park or frolicking through the happiest place on earth.