Those who could did. The June 2, 2001, celebration prior to the official opening of Mikey's Place was a time to recognize those who played a special role in this community effort. The generosity of the community was manifest in many ways, as many as the talents offered to get the job done. Some gave money, some time, some encouragement, some materials, some services and some gave and gave and gave. It was time for the Daversa- Huffman families to recognize those who had honored Mikey and his extended family.

The Paoletti family shared their time and considerable talents in providing the materials, fabrication and installation of the wrought iron fence and Mikey's Place sign which skirt and protect the northern edge of the playscape along Nott Street....

Tom Linden, local, landscape architect shared his expertise by planning the layout of the playscape considering the odd shape of the plot available and the playscape components available. His work provided the plan for the arrangement of elements which came together in Mikey's Place.....

At the center, Barbara Bellas (with husband George to her left) took the responsibility of organizing the now annual Mikey's Place 5k Walk and Run, held in October. This fun-filled fundraising event provides the community with another opportunity to again join in a little play was helping to support the perpetual upkeep and upgrading of Mikey's Place.....

Hard workers needed little encouragement to donate their time. Others donated the food which helped to keep the small army of volunteers fueled. BagelZ ("Balgelz with a Z") of Wethersfield contributed many baker's dozens of their fare. In this vein also, "Art and John" of Village Pizza Restaurant in the heart of Old Wethersfield, provided their popular pizzas to the effort.....

Designer Tina Lynch (between Danielle and Mary) created the logo for Mikey's Place which you see here. Her logo for Mikey's Place has been used widely and wisely on the assorted apparel sold to help raise funds and the public's awareness of this community effort and resource. (Tina Lynch, as Creative Concepts, designed the logo for Wethersfield.Net and also the logos for the Richard M. Keane Foundation, later in 2001, post-9/11.)....

Paul Aloi, talented, local videographer is seen receiving his plaque, flanked by Dan and Mary Daversa. Aloi capture the action, sights, sounds and sensibilities of the volunteer during the four long days over two weekends in October, 2000. Even as he stood here, his camera was running, chronicling this day's happenings too.....

Dr.Ken Sokolowski, local podiatrist, is owner, editor of Wethersfield.net. Just a little more than a week before the construction started at Mikey's Place, he had a serendipitous chat with Grandma Daversa. Her warmth and charm moved him to commit himself to this portrayal of the building of Mikey's Place so that the world would know and be encouraged too.....

(L-R) Danielle Daversa, her uncle Paul Huffman, and his sister Mary Huffman Daversa.....

Father Dan, sister Danielle, Mother Mary and "Aunty Debby" Raymond.....

Danielle Daversa, sixth grader, poet and loving sister of Mikey, hold the plaque she gave to architect Linden.

Mary Huffman Daversa, Mikey's Mom, receives a pen, ink and watercolor rendition of Mikey's Place as viewed at its south gait.....