This year's event raised a record $60,000! On behalf of the residents of Leeway, thank you to all of the golfers, sponsors and donors!!

Mickey Pallotto loved to play golf. He was a fixture at the Hunter Memorial Golf Course where the staff and regular golfers became part of his family. Mickey was known for his wit as well as his passion for golf.

Mickey would be amused and touched by the way his namesake tournament has grown. Before he died of AIDS, he directed that the modest proceeds of his life insurance policy to be used for a round of golf for his friends. He also asked that any remaining money go to an AIDS organization. Mickey’s friend, Rob Hamilton, who serves on Leeway’s Board of Directors, decided to establish an annual tournament in Mickey’s name.

Rob knew that Mickey wanted to help people make positive changes in their lives and support them when things got tough. Mickey spent an enormous amount of time helping fellow Vietnam veterans, participating in group discussions, and learning his own faith for the strength to help others.

So for Mickey’s friends, this tournament is a way to connect with someone they miss at the golf course he loved. For others, it’s a way to help fulfill Mickey’s dream to benefit people living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom have little support and are gravely ill.

Proceeds from this tournament benefit The Catherine Kennedy Foundation, a fund for Leeway, Connecticut’s only AIDS-dedicated skilled nursing facility.