Long Island Giving Help Together For Charity is my column, where I spotlight a different Long Island-based charity each month. For this column, I focus on Rebuilding Together Long Island.
Rebuilding Together Long Island is a not-for-profit organization that provides free home safety repairs and other modifications for people with physical limitations. The charity transforms the lives of income-qualified homeowners by improving the safety of their homes and revitalizing their communities.
Rebuilding Together Long Island was founded in 1992 by a small group of volunteers eager to help Long Island homeowners who were having problems maintaining their homes. The charity quickly expanded into a year-round effort with over 250 volunteers. Its volunteers today include skilled craftsmen, unskilled workers, office personnel and kind-hearted home visitors who work tirelessly to support those in need.
Last year (2024), Rebuilding Together Long Island completed 197 projects, improving the lives of 333 individuals, including veterans, the handicapped, and others with low incomes.
The annual median income of those served in 2024 was $35,000. Repairs completed included carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and home modifications such as wheelchair ramps, all at no cost to its qualified clients.
Rebuilding Together Long Island has done a lot of other good as well.
For example, it recently supported St. Bridget’s Outreach and Pantry in Westbury.
Through this initiative, Rebuilding Together Long Island revitalized the facility after years of wear and tear by replacing carpeting with new vinyl flooring. This initiative allowed St. Bridget’s Outreach and Pantry to continue serving about 1,000 people each month who are experiencing food insecurity.
Corporations can work with Rebuilding Together Long Island to sponsor projects that can have an immediate positive impact on the life of a senior, veteran, person with a disability, or family in need.
Individuals can also volunteer their time, and you don’t need to be a skilled builder to help. Interested individuals should fill out a volunteer application available at Rebuilding Together Long Island’s website at https://www.rebuildingtogetherli.org/volunteer-today.
Any and all donations are also welcome. can be made via phone, mail or online at https://www.rebuildingtogetherli.org/make-a-donation.
We’re approaching the end of the school year, so this will be my last monthly column until after the summer break. Over the past year, we’ve shown once again that we shine a bright LIGHT together when Long Island Gives Help Together. Have a great summer!
Kayla Donnenfeld is a junior at Roslyn High School
