It was truly a feel-good couple of weeks, and a deserving Albany County family's life was changed for the better.

Well, here's some good news: All of you who were moved by the opportunity to help local people improve their living conditions can still help out - including this weekend.

Rebuilding Together of Saratoga County, the local branch of an agency that rehabilitates homes for low-income residents who are elderly or have disabilities, has projects going on around the county, including some that are being worked on this weekend.

It's not for TV, no. But it is a great way to make a measurable difference right here in Saratoga County.

This isn't a knock on the good that's done by Extreme Makeover or to minimize the donations from local companies that made that project a success. But all the hoopla over a TV show and one fabulous construction project should not overshadow a local organization that works year-round to relieve people from unsafe, decrepit or desperate living conditions.

Rebuilding Together has had more than 300 volunteers working on projects, much of which is made possible through the generosity of local businesses. And more help is needed, in sweat equity, materials and dollars.

"That show is very sexy. This isn't sexy, this is just getting stuff done," said Michelle Larkin, founder of the Saratoga agency and president of its board of directors, in an interview with The Saratogian. "But what is exciting is that we're getting 350 people to come out and help their neighbors."

Neighbors like Nancy Bisenius, who was living alone in a mobile home with a leaking roof, windows that didn't lock and a back door that didn't shut. Last Saturday, 13 volunteers in bright green Rebuilding Together T-shirts put on a new roof and rear door, installed energy-efficient windows that can be locked, and lay new flooring. Meanwhile, at the Greenfield home of the Willis family, 55 volunteers installed new siding, rain gutters, kitchen cabinets and counters, plus handrails and thesholds to help a child with cerebral palsy get around more easily.

As wonderful as the results are for the recipients, the volunteers get something out of it, too. Volunteer site captain Dottie Rucinski, a retired union carpenter who lives in Clifton Park, described the good feeling from helping others, noting their heartfelt appreciation. You can't pay to see that kind of happiness, she said. We applaud the work of Rebuilding Together of Saratoga County.

And we encourage readers to donate your manual labor, money, expertise or materials to this very worthy organization. For more information about the organization, how to apply for help and how to help out, call 695-3315.