LPL Financial Congratulates Sun Group Wealth Partners On Successful Effort To Support Pretend City Children's Museum

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LPL Financial today congratulated Sun Group Wealth Partners ("the firm"), a leading independent wealth management firm based in Irvine, CA, on the achievement of its goal of funding programming for approximately 1,000 families with children who have special needs in the Southern California area to attend Pretend City, a community-funded, non-profit children's educational museum.  Sun Group Wealth Partners announced this achievement at its annual, invitation-only client event held at Pretend City on Saturday, November 10.  Sun Group Wealth Partners' financial advisors are affiliated with LPL Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA), the nation's largest independent broker-dealer*.

The initiative is part of Sun Group Wealth Partners' continuing efforts to offer support and resources to local and regional organizations that benefit the communities the firm serves. The supported programming will provide relief for families with children with special needs, including autism, and is consistent with the mission of Pretend City, which believes that every child should have the opportunity to reach their greatest potential.

Pretend City allows children to interact and learn through a variety of guided play experiences that build foundational early math, reading, and science skills, while fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, organization, teamwork, self-confidence and socialization.

The Pretend City environment is designed to help children learn about the interconnectedness and diversity of the local community and the world around them, from understanding the needs of others to the wide array of potential professions to which they may aspire. It also offers a very special opportunity for parents and other caregivers to participate directly in each child's education through "purposeful play," while building strong bonds of caring and shared experience.

Founded in 2011, Sun Group Wealth Partner manages approximately $138 million in client assets, focused primarily on serving those within the high-net worth space, including business executives of Fortune 500 companies, those in the entertainment industry in Hollywood and nonprofit organizations throughout the West Coast.

Winnie Sun, founding partner of Sun Group Wealth Partners, said, "I am very pleased to partner with Pretend City on this important initiative. As someone who is very familiar with the challenges faced by families that have special needs children, I have always deeply valued Pretend City and its mission.  In addition to providing a great customer experience to our clients, Sun Group Wealth Partners has always felt it has a clear responsibility to give back to the community, and we could not think of a more worthy cause than enhancing Pretend City's ability to support special needs children and their families."

Sandra Bolton, Executive Director of Pretend City, said: "Pretend City is delighted to come together with Sun Group Wealth Partners on this exciting effort to help children with special needs grow and learn. As a community-funded, guest-supported educational organization, we rely in large part on the generosity of others to support our programs. It is only through affiliations such as these that we are able to grow and expand the Pretend City experience for children and families in our community. We are very appreciative of the hard work of Winnie Sun and her team." 

Robert Moore, President and COO of LPL Financial, said, "LPL Financial is proud to serve as an empowering partner to Sun Group Wealth Partners, and we enthusiastically support their efforts to help families in their community while furthering the mission of Pretend City. This announcement demonstrates the powerful commitment that our advisors feel for their local communities, and shows the crucial role they can play for local families and charitable organizations through their philanthropic endeavors."

About Sun Group Wealth Partners

Sun Group Wealth Partners is a full-service wealth management firm located in Irvine, California.  With more than 25 years of collective advisory experience, Sun Group Wealth Partners serves businesses executives of Fortune 500 companies, Hollywood high net worth individuals and families, as well as nonprofit organizations throughout the West Coast. Offering a wide range of services from investment management to charitable giving, the exemplary young team at Sun Group Wealth Partners aligns clients' financial lives with their goals for the future. Sun Group Wealth Partners manages more than $138 million in assets through LPL Financial.  For more information, please visit www.sungroupwp.com.

About Pretend City

Pretend City Children's Museum features a small, interconnected city designed to "build better brains" through purposeful play, hands-on learning experiences, role playing, and educational programming. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving all children, it depends on community-based funding and guest support. Through 17 interactive exhibits and activities guided by a highly trained professional staff, children learn foundational math, reading and science skills, while fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, organization, teamwork, self-confidence and socialization. The museum is a unique community resource offering developmental screenings and tools for families, educators and community agencies working to ensure that each child gains the experiences needed to discover their potential and build toward a productive and fulfilling future. Pretend City Children's Museum is located at 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618. For more information, please visit www.pretendcity.org.

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA), is the nation's largest independent broker-dealer (based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2012), a top RIA custodian, and a leading independent consultant to retirement plans. LPL Financial offers integrated technology, comprehensive clearing and compliance services, practice management programs and training, and independent research to over 13,100 financial advisors and approximately 685 financial institutions. In addition, LPL Financial supports over 4,500 financial advisors licensed with insurance companies by providing customized clearing, advisory platforms and technology solutions. LPL Financial and its affiliates have approximately 2,900 employees with primary offices in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego.  For more information, please visit www.lpl.com.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Partners LTD, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD and Sun Group Wealth Partners are separate entities from LPL Financial.

LPL Financial is not affiliated with Pretend City. *Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2012

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SOURCE LPL Financial