The enthusiasm and energy of a young athlete can brighten an entire community. Even though Mikey Goodwin’s life was cut short, thanks to fundraising efforts, his spirit lives on at a community park named in his honor.

Mikey was a promising high school athlete in his town of Indialantic, Florida. One day, he came home complaining of blurry vision. Mikey was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a tumor of the brain stem which affects all the motor skills of the body. Mikey succumbed to his illness in May of 2020 at just 19 years old.

In his honor, his family created the Mikey Goodwin Research Fund, which raises money for the research of this rare condition. They organized the Mikey Goodwin Park Project as a tribute to his athleticism, with a goal of building a new playground for the community.

Patrick Moran, Store Manager at Island Ace Hardware, learned of the project, and he helped get his store involved.

"I’ve known the Goodwins for my entire life. I was at their house frequently growing up and went to school with all of them," said Patrick. "Mark McDermott, the head of the Playground Committee, asked me if we would help get the tools donated."

Eddie Struttman, Store Owner of Island Ace Hardware, was excited to jump on board. The team organized a Round Up campaign at the store where customers round up their purchase to the nearest dollar and donate that change.

"I like to make sure that we give back. That’s a very important part of our store," said Eddie. "It’s community first and business second, and that’s how we feel."

Island Ace Hardware raised $2,600 in the first month. That money went toward construction tools including Milwaukee drills and impact drivers, speed squares, levels, lumber, tape measures, and more – about $10,000 worth of materials were donated in total.

"Ace Hardware came through. They donated all the tools brand new. It was really a lifesaver," said Mark McDermott, Playground Advisory Committee Chair.

Construction of the park was completed in about a week, thanks to the generous donations and volunteers who pitched in.

"The Mikey Goodwin Park immortalizes Mikey’s legacy in many different ways," said Malley Goodwin, Mikey’s Sister. "At the front of the park there’s a plaque that has a picture of him from his senior year playing basketball. It shows he was a real person that we all know and loved."