The spirit of neighbors helping neighbors resonated at the nonprofit organization's sold-out fund-raising dinner Nov. 10.

Outback Restaurant of Clifton Park catered a steak and chicken meal for 250 people, while students from Schuylerville, Saratoga and Stillwater volunteered throughout the evening.

After dinner, the crowd took part in a lively auction of donated goods, bidding with auction paddles shaped like houses. Students from Schuylerville's after-school program made the paddles and signed them on back.

'It's great to see so many of you here,' RTSC President Michelle Larkin said Wednesday, looking across the full house at the Elks Club in Saratoga Springs. 'You always wonder when you plan a party if anyone will show up, and you certainly did tonight. It hasn't even been a year since we were also wondering if anyone would show up to our first informational meeting. Look what has happened.'

Local businesses showed their support to RTSC by purchasing whole tables. Contingents from the LA group, Adirondack Trust Company, CT Male, Realty USA, Hudson River Mortgage/Homestead Funding and the Public House restaurant attended.

Rebuilding Together fixes up houses of low-income people, particularly the elderly or disabled, within Saratoga County. RTSC formed last December and got enough donations to work on five projects in April 2004 for National Rebuilding Day. Three homes were chosen -- in Malta, Schuylerville and the town of Saratoga. Work ranged from roofing and plumbing to removing unsafe porches, adding insulation, siding a home and painting. Volunteers also did brush-up jobs at Shelters of Saratoga and Franklin Community Center.

With more time to raise funds this year, the RTSC board of directors aimed to tackle seven main projects, and the group is now reviewing applications. Board members, volunteers and friends will spread out to the work sites on Saturday, April 30.

'It's a simple concept, isn't it? Neighbor helping neighbor,' Larkin said at the dinner.

Those attending agreed, and needed little prodding from auctioneer Bob Carr, who kept things hopping with his auction patter: 'One hundred dollars, $100, do I hear $125, come on don't let him get ahead, $125, $150, you can beat him, $175, do I hear $175?'

Carr fetched the best price for donated items, which ranged from a load of Saratoga sod, weekend getaways and in-home pampering sessions to a hand-crafted mahogany mirror and works by local artists.

One bidder went home with a summer hat donated by philanthropist Marylou Whitney while another is looking for just the right spot to hang a photo of Travers winner Birdstone, donated by John Hendrickson and signed by its owner, Whitney.

General information on Rebuilding Together Saratoga County is available online at www.rebuildingtogethersaratoga.com or by calling 583-4640.