Glastonbury, CONN.- Just 10 miles east of where the Sixers' Kevin Ollie helped set UCONN assist records, Kevin was making a new kind of assist-helping athletes with disabilities.

Kevin hosted the 21st annual Tolland Fund golf tournament, last week (August 6th), at Kevin's home course of Glastonbury Hills Country Club in his new hometown of Glastonbury, Conn.

The Tolland Fund, which organized the Tournament, sponsors many programs and athletic events for athletes with disabilities. The Tolland Fund has underwritten Paralympic Gold Medalist Paul Nitz and tennis Hall of Famer Ivan Lendl's Wheelchair Tennis Camp.

Ray Allen, one of the newest Boston Celtics, helps out fellow UCONN alum Kevin Ollie

"Helping the Tolland Fund is the most important assist I do on or off the court," Kevin said. "These athletes only know what they can do, not what they can't. They are real stars here today."

More than 250 golfers joined Kevin's fellow UCONN teammates NBA All-Star Ray Allen, and Boston Celtics TV analyst Donny Marshall and fellow NBA stars Aaron McKie and Mike Wilks in a charity golf event that helps bring hope to athletes with disabilities. The Co-Honorary Chairs of the event were UCONN legendary Coach Donald "Dee" Rowe and the voice of UCONN basketball Joe D'Ambroisio.

The morning field enjoyed a double treat-they also were the guests of Mohegan Sun casino after play and then returned in time for a spirited and emotional dinner.

The unique double-shotgun format ran just ahead of surrounding thunderstorms. But the only things wet this day were eyes at the dinner that night.

The Tolland Fund presents its prestigious annual award in honor of George McLaughlin.

The tragic events of September 11, 2001 had a profound and lasting effect on America and Americans. One of the victims of September Eleventh was a man by the name of George McLaughlin. George was a friend of the Tolland Fund. George worked for a company named Carr Futures whose office was located in the World Trade Center in New York City. In order that the memory of George McLaughlin and those that lost their lives will be remembered and honored. The Tolland Fund has established the "George McLaughlin Award." The Tolland Fund presents this award to a deserving young athlete with a disability who aspires to become a competitor in the world of sport for persons with disabilities. The first award was presented at the 2002 tournament to Carlos Quiles a world-class athlete with a disability who participates in Track & Field, Skiing and Basketball.

So it was a tournament to remember for the golfers on the course. It was also a tournament to remember for 2007 George McLaughlin Award recipients-Kara Maloney of Ledyard, Conn and Andrew Hebebrand of Windsor Locks, Conn. Kara is a star athlete. The 17-year-old recent high school graduate stands tall in her wheel chair-returning just two weeks ago from Spokane, Washington where she competed in the National Wheelchair Competition. She won Silver medals in discuss, javelin and shot put and a Bronze in Table Tennis.

"I really enjoy the opportunity to compete against other disabled athletes," Maloney said.

Her co-winner is the first baseman for one of the best high school teams in the state. He hits. He catches. He throws. But according to Journal Inquirer (Manchester, CONN.) newspaper: "His style is unique. It all looks conventional until the ball hits his glove. Then, in the blink of an eye the glove is in his right armpit and in one motion he rips his left hand out, grabs the ball and makes a throw." Andrew needs to improvise as he was born with two fingers on his right hand.

Kara and Andrew don't think they are heroes.

Kevin knows so. Just ask Kevin Ollie and his special friends who came out on this stormy day to hand out a few more assists.