Last summer, Farmingdale High School junior Mike Mianulli's life drastically changed after an accident at a friend's party left him paralyzed from the neck down when he fell into a swimming pool.

After spending some time in the trauma unit at Nassau University Medical Center, Mianulli was moved to a rehabilitation center in Manhattan and will be returning home within the next few weeks. However, the structure of the family's Farmingdale home would prove to be a problem for Mianulli with regard to accessibility and mobility, until more than 50 union members and volunteers decided to take on the project to help renovate the house.

Thanks to an effort initiated by Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Councilman Anthony Macagnone, several renovations are underway at the Mianulli's house, including the expansion of doorways, conversion of the bathroom and expansion of the house from 750 square feet to 2,400 square feet.

Soon after Mianulli suffered his accident, family friend John Gibilaro reached out to the community for assistance and fund-raising support. He then contacted Supervisor Venditto.

"I contacted Town Councilman Macagnone, who is currently treasurer of Long Island Carpenters Local 7 and a council representative of the Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters," Venditto said. "The union generously agreed to donate their time and has been making the house larger and handicapped accessible."

The supervisor added that the town expedited the required variances and last Saturday began the final push for the project when dozens of members of Long Island Carpenters Local 7 volunteered their time to help with the renovations. Macagnone said that Local 7, under the able direction of President William Weitzman, has a long history of taking on charitable endeavors.

"This was a tragic case and Mr. Weitzman and the union members were more than willing to lend a helping hand," he said. "We're proud to join with the entire Farmingdale community in helping this family in need."

Skilled laborers are still needed to help with parts of the project. Anybody who can volunteer their time and are skilled ceramic tile setters, deck builders and vinyl siding installers, please contact Mianulli's uncle Anthony Longo at 631-553-3347 or visit www.mikemianulli.net.

The councilman added that this initiative will hopefully show the Mianulli family that many are on their side.

"Mike Mianulli will face many challenges in the future," Macagnone said. "We're here to show that he won't have to face those challenges alone."

The family is certainly appreciative of all of the gestures made by community members. In a letter written to the Observer, they said "with our friends and family by our side, Mike's accident has been somewhat bearable. We are completely overwhelmed by your love, support and generosity." (see the Mianulli's letter in this week's issue).

In an effort to continue helping the Mianullis, friends and family are planning the first annual Michael D. Mianulli Benefit Fund Golf Outing/Dinner, to be held on May 10 at the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course in Woodbury. They have planned a magnificent day of golf to be followed by an evening of dinner and raffles. Anyone interested in attending or making some form of donation can contact Bob Thompson at 798-2808; Lisa Longo at 682-5822; or visit www.mikemianulli.net.