'It's wonderful,' she said. 'They have been so wonderful and considerate and kind.'

Westcott was speaking about the 30 or more volunteers from the newly formed Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, a local affiliate of the national housing rehabilitation group Rebuilding Together, formerly known as Christmas in April.

At the end of April every year, affiliates all over the country plan housing rehabilitation projects for low-income, elderly or disabled residents. People are picked through an application process.

Work at Westcott's house, estimated at $25,000 if a contractor did it, included rebuilding two porches, putting up a new roof, a new bathroom and new floors and ceilings.

She said her husband started to renovate the house, but he passed away three years ago. She paid a relative around that time to do some work in the bathroom, but it was never completed.

'I was left with an awful mess,' said Westcott, who has lived at 240 Burgoyne Road for 47 years.

Last year, town resident Michelle Larkin started Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, which is funded by private and corporate donations.

Skilled and unskilled local volunteers, including Boy Scout Troop 13 of Schuylerville, worked away on a cool, sunny day.

What do the unskilled workers do?

'What the skilled workers tell them to,' said Larkin's husband, Dan.

House Captain Tom Malatesta said the morale at the site was excellent.

'I can't get my work done because people are asking me what they can do,' he said.

Dan Larkin said that after some earlier prep work, the bulk of the projects at the organization's five work sites in the county would be complete by Saturday. Besides Westcott's house, volunteers worked at 2249 Route 9 in Malta, Franklin Community Manor at 95 Congress St. and Shelters of Saratoga at 14 Walworth St. in Saratoga Springs and 185 Broad St. in Schuylerville.

There was concern that since the organization started late last year, there might be problems getting funding for April. But Larkin said things turned out just fine.

'It's really encouraging to know there are these many people generous with their time and money,' he said, 'people who want to get involved.'

At the Schuylerville project, volunteers painted, put up a new door, steps, ceiling, railing, cellar vents and siding. The project, which had about 25 volunteers, was estimated at about $10,000.

House owner Pat Richards, who is on state disability, said damage from a fire in 2000 gutted the building and he didn't get enough money from insurance to fix it all. Insulation was poor, and fuel bills were through the roof, he said.

'The old Amish get together and put up a house in one day,' he said. 'These are like extended neighbors helping out.'

Richards, who was wearing a Rebuilding Together T-shirt, said he is an active participant in volunteer community service and next year will be helping the organization fix someone else's house.

Schuylerville Central School student Eric DeWitt, 17, who was volunteering in Schuylerville with his mother, Linda, and some friends, said it made him feel good to participate.

'Just to know that we did all this and if it weren't for us, this house wouldn't be what it will be, I'll always look back and feel proud of myself,' he said.

To donate to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, contact Michelle Larkin at 583-4640, or e-mail the organization at rebuildingtogethersaratoga@yahoo.com. The group has a Web site, www.rebuildingtogethersaratoga.com