WCCO News Feature: “How a Twin Cities community came together to honor life of Eli Hart: “They’ve forever changed our lives”

The Corks for a Cause Wine Tasting Fundraiser for the Eli Hart Memorial Playground was live on Kare11!

A fundraiser for the Eli Hart Memorial Playground including wine tastings, dinner, live and silent auctions, prizes, live music and more!

There will be a limited number of benches placed around the playground and you can sponsor one!

Silent auction, taco bar, cash bar, games and more! $10 suggested donation to get in.

We received notice from the IRS that we now officially have 501c3 status!

Donors can deduct contributions they make to our nonprofit under IRC Section 170.

Volunteer Tiffany Beitler joins Tonka Talk to share what is being done to remember Eli Hart, the young boy tragically killed almost a year ago.

"I found out that he was at my daughter's school," Beitler said. "It just hit very close to home. I was extremely sad and depressed about it."

"This is something we just couldn't move past from," Houghton said.

On Friday, Beitler and Houghton shared custom renderings of what the park could be.

"[I'd want people to know] Something good can come out of something so tragic," Houghton said.

The Eli Hart Foundation presented information to the City Council regarding the Foundation, its long term goals and current initiative to raise funding and complete a playground improvement project at Surfside Park. At the conclusion of their presentation the Council approved a Resolution supporting their efforts in indicating future partnership with the Foundation to complete this project.

Although we try to keep things positive on this site so Eli is remembered for who he was, not just how he was killed, we thought it was important to share that Eli and his family got justice: “After deliberating less than two hours, a Hennepin County jury convicted a woman of first-degree murder for shooting her 6-year-old son nine times inside her car and hiding his body in the trunk, where it was later discovered by Orono police during a traffic stop.”

“We believe this playground is going to be a healing thing for the community and a place for people to bring their families,” said Beitler. “Eli was a bright light and we want his light to shine on with something positive for him, his family, his classmates and teachers and our entire community.”

“Today we are announcing a grant of $10,000 to the project from our coffers and a commitment to work with other Rotary Clubs around the Lake Minnetonka area to raise even more. As part of our commitment to community service here, we hope this provide some level of comfort the Eli’s family and friends.” - Tom Venable

Several local business owners donated 10% of their sales on what would have been Eli Hart's 7th birthday Thursday to help his family build a playground in his memory.

A fundraiser is planned at Mound area restaurants and bars for Thursday, Dec. 15 to raise money for the Eli Hart Memorial Playground in Mound.

On Dec. 15, Eli should have turned 7-years-old.

Some of our local restaurants, breweries and bars are donating a percentage of sales from Eli's birthday, December 15, to the Eli Hart Memorial Playground! Please visit these local establishments and thank them for their generosity!

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church donated the proceeds of the tip jar in the beer tent from the Incredible Festival - $1,489.25!

All beer tent donations from a fundraising event at the Incredible Festival at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church went towards building the playground in honor of Eli Hart. The cost of building a new playground is estimated to be between $200,000 and $250,000.