Lindenhurst's Alleghany Avenue Elementary School students spent the afternoon recently building Houses for Homes. Participants built birdhouses to benefit the Make it Right Foundation to help the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans rebuild homes. They have already raised over two thousand dollars.

The idea came from seven-year-old Grace Riemma, a second-grade student in Mrs. Lercari's class. She was inspired by viewing a video about this foundation started by Brad Pitt. She came up with the idea to raise funds with her Build a Birdhouse project.

Students from the entire district were invited to participate. Children purchased a $5 birdhouse, built it and painted it.

"I saw a video about the foundation and thought that we could make a difference and make it right, too," stated Grace, and she as well as all the participants should take great pride in knowing that they have done just that.

Participants were also able to decorate Mardi Gras masks. Other activities during the day included the Suffolk County Red Cross teaching about hurricane safety, free blood pressure screenings from the Lindenhurst Fire Department, music by the Dog House Blues Band and amazing raffles that ranged from tickets to autographed merchandise to Starbucks gift baskets.

Shown in the top photo is Alleghany Avenue second grader Grace Riemma with Principal Laura Newman, her mom, Krista Riemma, and her teacher, Sandra Lercari.

Shown in the photo, Superintendent Neil Lederer congratulates Grace Riemma for coming up with the idea for building birdhouses to raise money for the Make it Right Foundation.