It all began innocently enough several years back when local Knights of Columbus Chapter 41 decided to hand out tootsie rolls at a charity golf outing. Long involved in local community and religious works, the men of Chapter 41 aptly called their new event the Frank Robotti Tootsie Roll Tournament, after one of their notable volunteer members. Over the years, the event grew as members- mostly tradesmen and members- shared a day in the sunshine together.
Ken D’Andrea is a lifelong member of #41. He is also a starter at Sterling Farms Golf Course in Stamford. That role brings him in contact with people of all walks of life making the proverbial rounds at Sterling. As a leader of the annual golf event, Ken was and is not one to shy away from asking people for support. Ken began to feel a burden to help Stamford families with special needs children.
Since the 1970s, the Special Olympics was the only organization in Stamford putting a spotlight on children with special needs. As the Knights' outings grew slowly over the years, helping children with special needs in such organizations as ARI as well Challenger Little League and a few individual cases became a focus for the event.
Seeing potential and the need, the Knights began to give away more than just tootsie rolls. Ken began to involve more people outside the Knights in the events. He began having raffles, even auctions to raise money for this new-found cause.
To his surprise, the outings began to sell out, and the luncheons that followed grew by hundreds of attendees. Local supporters saw the sincerity in Kenny’s work- and, clearly, the need right here in the community.
Level the Playing Field was born.
Ken sees this as Stamford helping Stamford. He believes that, in time, many of those served will have the potential to become productive citizens and independent members of the community. They just need a level playing field. Families of children with special needs face challenges for their lifetime. For some, it’s the need for ongoing medical attention. For others, special equipment, agency referrals and guidance, wheelchairs, support services.
In researching the need, the group was surprised to learn the extent of it. There are currently 82,000 people statewide and some 2,500 young people in Stamford and in the Stamford school system alone who need help. Brad Lupinacci, an executive with First County Bank who has been working with the organization since the beginning says, “In a time of diminished funding, they just don’t know where to turn.”
Throughout the past fifteen years, the outings have become the forum to bring a growing community together with the people they help. Take 10-year-old Andy Katz, Andy was born with Down's Syndrome. His mother, Michele, is happy to share him with the group. Andy leads the group in the Pledge of Allegiance at each outing. One can say Andy has become the poster child for the group.
Stamford native and former Major Leaguer, Bobby Valentine, took time out of his busy schedule to present Andy with a signed baseball bat a few years back. Ask Andy. He’ll tell you all about it.
Christopher Russo of "Mike and the Mad Dog" fame attends yearly and donates a guest appearance on his Sirius Radio talk show to a lucky auction winner.
Ken’s passion is now pointing the way to a greater vision for the future - education and employment. Last year, nearly 300 citizens attended the luncheon following the event. This year, Level the Playing Field incorporated, operates with a ten-person board. The annual event will reach $1 million in support for area families and people of all ages.
The event attracts a who’s who of Stamford notables, including mayors, community organizers, well-known residents and business executives as well as those who have quietly worked behind the scenes.
Working with philanthropic organizations such as The Umbrella Club, The Stamford Policeman’s Association, Raise the Bar, and others, more and more people with special needs are finding a place to go for simple, yet immediate help.
High school senior and cheerleader, Grace Lombardo, attended the event with her family last year. Grace is a cheerleader at Stamford High. Grace has Down Syndrome. She will be attending Norwalk Community College next year with a special educational grant from the group.
Vincent DiLorenzo will be attending Mitchell College in the fall. The organization is even funding research into rare diseases such as Kabuki Syndrome, affecting children locally and nationwide.
Today, no less than a dozen organizations, including Sterling Farms, are hiring special needs citizens. They fill roles as ground crews. Stamford’s Grade A Markets are adding baggers and stockers. Target has hired customer service desk staff from the rolls of local special needs adults. And restaurants such as Zody’s are employing adults with special needs through the advocacy of Leveling the Playing Field.
Ken sees this as “only the beginning.”
“We owe it to the dedication of the team, those who support us every year and the kids we serve,” Ken says with heartfelt pride. “The sincerity in their hearts is what is bringing these blessings on this community. And we’re just getting started.”
So how far can the Stamford community go to “level the playing field” for its citizens with special needs? If attendance at these events and the growing contributions of the community are any indication, the possibilities are endless.
Leveling the Playing Field will be holding its annual outing and luncheon fundraiser this year on Sept. 4, 2025. The golf event is sold out. Those seeking to attend the luncheon or contribute to the work of Leveling the Playing Field can do so by calling 203-219-5330.
“It became apparent that people with special needs didn’t know where to turn.”
“We're just getting started.”