LIHome411.com co-founders Tom Mirabella and Bob Roddini are taking their home improvement knowledge on the road to help Hurricane Katrina victims rebuild their homes and lives.

The Wantagh natives who grew up on the same block created www.LIHome411.com, an online directory service that offers visitors 60 home improvement categories ranging from plumbing and electrical to outdoor renovation, will be heading to New Orleans, LA in late August to help rebuild some of the city's hardest hit areas by Hurricane Katrina.

Mirabella, who now lives in Hicksville, and Roddini, currently a resident of Williston Park, said they were inspired by Spike Lee's documentary When the Levees Broke.

"We felt that there was still so much to be done and we felt that we could essentially build a bridge from Long Island to New Orleans," Roddini, a 1993 MacArthur High School graduate said.

By raising money, materials and equipment, LIHome411.com hopes to help the charitable organization, The Phoenix of New Orleans (PNOLA) carry out their mission. For one week they will be working with PNOLA, gutting and rebuilding homes and restoring public areas.

PNOLA is a nonprofit organization devoted to rebuilding and recover of Lower Mid-City, a centrally-located 120-block neighborhood in New Orleans. Founded by a Tulane University medical student, PNOLA has offered the community a rapid response to the decimating efforts that Hurricane Katrina and the flooding that followed had on New Orleans.

"We found that PNOLA really could use our help with what they were doing and wanted to seek out a charitable organization down there that was federally recognized and had almost every penny of the dollar going towards their mission," Mirabella said. "They don't have the overhead and the salaries that most of these other organizations have."

Rachael Mills, the volunteer coordinator for PNOLA, said the organization was thrilled when Mirabella and Roddini approached them.

"When Tom called he was so energetic and excited about coming down and raising funds for us," Mills said.

She added that the organization relies on private donations and they only have free labor to offer at this point.

"There's a lot of tools and building supplies we need," Mills said.

LIHome411.com is actively working toward their goal of $1,000,000.

"We are also working on supply donations from a major home improvement chain and a major paint supplier," Mirabella added. "However, we are also seeking used tools, building materials, clothes, books, school supplies and toys. Any help and support would go a long way."

Roddini said their million-dollar goal could be achieved if each of Long Island's 920,000 homeowners donated $1.09.

"This is a project for everyone," he added. "If everyone chips in a little, we're there."

Mills said a donation of this magnitude would have a "huge impact" on PNOLA and their efforts.

Mirabella, a 1996 graduate of Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, said, "this [hurricane] could happen very easily on Long Island and we would want people to help us."

"It's been two years and homes have yet to even be gutted," Mirabella added.

As of now partners Mirabella and Roddini are renting a truck together to bring supplies and materials to their work area. They might take other volunteers as well. To keep track of their progress during their Aug. 25 to Sept. 1 trip, log onto www.LIHome411.com and check out their blog.

Cash donations can be made via check made out to PNOLA and send in care of LIHome411.com, 43 Libby Ave., Hicksville, NY. Donations via credit card can be made online at www.LIHome411.com. Donations of building material and new and used tools are also welcome by emailing pnola@lihome411.com or calling 521-7482.