Rebuilding Together Long Island, a nonprofit volunteer organization that does no-cost home repairs for needy residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties, will mark 15 years of community service with a dinner dance April 17 at Temple Judea in Massapequa.

Launched in 1992, the group has completed jobs in more than 1,400 homes and built nearly 100 wheelchair ramps for handicapped clients. RTLI's volunteer roster has increased from five to more than 200 and the group now employs a full-time executive director.

"It has been a great experience," said President Sol Goldstein, of Massapequa, who started the group with Vice President Joe Botkin of Williston Park. "There's nothing like the feeling you get from helping a neighbor live in a decent and safe home."

Goldstein mentioned letters recently received from clients. "One said, 'If not for Rebuilding Together Long Island repairing my house, I would not be living there,'" Goldstein recalled. "Another said: 'Thank you for saving my life. You are a bunch of angels.'"

Executive Director Harold Feldman said the group's work has drawn significant support from corporate sponsors, including Georgia-Pacific, Countrywide Mortgage, the Long Island Board of Realtors, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Citigroup, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Arrow Electronics, the American Petroleum Institute, Astoria Federal, and many others.

"With the generous financial backing of good-neighbor companies, we can expand our work, help more Long Islanders and demonstrate that this is a community that cares," Feldman said.

Goldstein noted that the RTLI dinner dance theme is "15 Years of Making a Difference."

"That's what we're about," Goldstein said. "We've made a difference in many lives, and our clients make a difference in ours. Helping someone who needs a break - there's no better feeling in the world."

Rebuilding Together Long Island is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) group associated with the Washington, DC-based Rebuilding Together organizations, formerly known as Christmas in April.