Cellphones to illuminate issue of homeless youths

No one can say how many cellphones will illuminate Tuesday outside the California Pizza Kitchen in Newport Beach, but the defining number for the evening will be 13.

That’s how many homeless and runaway youths die on America’s streets every year, according to the San Diego-based nonprofit Standup For Kids. On Tuesday at exactly 7:13 p.m., the restaurant at 1151 Newport Center Drive will join other locations across the country in inviting a crowd to raise its illuminated phones in silent tribute. Anyone is welcome to participate.

According to the National Runaway Switchboard, an estimated 1.3 million American children live on streets at any given time. Congress declared November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month earlier this year.

The Cell Phone Illumination Night is part of a drive in which used cellphones and accessories are collected to raise funds for the nonprofit. More information at www.standupforkids.org.

— Michael Miller