Long Island Board of Realtors(R) Joins HGTV and Rebuilding Together to Help Children

MANHASSET, NY--(Marketwire - May 2, 2008) - The Long Island Board of Realtors® (LIBOR) is joining together with Rebuilding Together Long Island and HGTV to help economically disadvantaged children by refurbishing the Hagedorn Community Center playground in Manhasset. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place Friday, May 2nd at 11am.

This unique project was selected as part of Change the World. Start at Home, a community revitalization and environmental cause effort launched by HGTV in partnership with Rebuilding Together, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The campaign focuses on revitalizing communities across the country and helping consumers make smart choices within their homes and daily lives. Over 50 Realtors will support the project by donating time and facilitating logistics to enable work to be completed. Sponsors for the donation of plants is Martin Viette Nurseries, Inc. Lunch sponsor is Jim Kelly from JVKellyGroup, Inc.

The Hagedorn Community Center was originally built in 1929 as a public school, Until the 1960s the school was segregated, serving a predominantly African American population. Eventually the building was closed and re-opened as a community center focused on helping "at risk" youngsters in Manhasset/Great Neck achieve success. Activities include a Head Start program, after school programs, family support, teen youth council, summer programs and AA meetings.

Support provided by LIBOR is one of many initiatives from the organization's "We're More Than Realtors" campaign. The campaign showcases the support real estate agents provide to local community and not-for-profit organizations. "Community service is one way that we, as Realtors®, can make a significant difference within our community," explained Mohsen Zandieh, LIBOR 2008 President. "We are thrilled to spearhead this effort and do our part to make our communities extraordinary places to live and work," added Joe Sinnona, Chairperson of LIBOR's PR Committee.

Rebuilding Together LI is dedicated to restoring homes of economically disadvantaged homeowners who are elderly, disabled, and/or single-parent families, so they may continue to live in comfort with dignity and independence. According to Sol Goldstein, President, "LIBOR's generous support of our efforts enables us to help people in need."

LIBOR is a non-profit trade association consisting of more than 25,000 real estate professionals. LIBOR is the largest local Realtor Board in the Country with ten Chapters that cover the North Shore, South Shore and Central areas of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties.

Contact Information: Alyssa Nightingale 631-367-8599 anight@att.net