PORTSMOUTH — The Four Hearts Foundation got closer to its goal of building a new playground on Turnpike Avenue thanks to Saturday’s second annual “Santa Claus for a Cause” fund-raiser at the Newport Car Museum.

The foundation is working toward building an inclusive, adaptive and accessible playground for all abilities and all ages.

“The event was sold out with over 120 local families in attendance,” said Kateri Chappell Buerman, who runs the Foundation. “It really is such a magical morning. It’s our absolute pleasure to bring this holiday event full of joy to the children of the community. It makes our hearts so full to see so many kids so happy.” 

The morning was filled with activities from making reindeer food, special crafts, writing letters to Santa and more. Countless volunteers from kids4action, Island Art Spot, St. Philomena’s, St. Barnabas, Portsmouth Nursery School, McNeill Children's Institute, Kelsea Godek Photography, BiteRI, Imagination Library, and more made the event a true community effort.

“The Foundation has to raise about $25,000 more toward its almost $800,000 goal to build this playground complete with recycled rubber flooring and state of the art structures,” said Buerman, who urged anyone wishing to get involved to consider the playground in their end-of-year or early 2024 giving.

“The Foundation’s tag line is ‘Let’s build a playground,’ and we are closer than ever and hoping for a spring 2024 goal,” she added.

For more information, Buerman can be reached at fourheartsfoundation4@gmail.com, or by visiting the Foundation’s website at www.fourheartsfoundation.com.