COEUR d'ALENE - During 307 hours of community service at the Human Rights Education Institute, Frank and William Tankovich did "remarkable work."

That's according to Thomas Carter, the institute's executive director, who said the brothers saved the organization as much as $25,000.

"They did nothing but good things here," he said. "They gave back. They felt good about it."

Among the projects they completed, Carter said they built and installed custom double doors, 15 wooden display cases in the main gallery, and hung art throughout the institute at 414 W. Mullan Ave.

"I feel the two brothers learned their lesson," Carter said Thursday.

He said they were proud of the work they did - and where they did it. They completed their work early this year.

"William told me, 'If you need any help any time, call me, I'm in town,'" Carter said.

He said Frank Tankovich stopped by the institute to say goodbye before moving back to California for work.

In March 2011, 1st District Court Judge John Luster gave the brothers supervised probation and a suspended prison sentence. Luster said he wanted the brothers to serve their community service at the institute.

Carter, in a March 6 letter to the brothers' probation and parole officer, wrote, "I have seen these men grow from day one."

He added, "They have listened to me and showed me that they want to see others the way we see others."

He wrote that the gallery project had just been a dream, "and with William and Frank's sincere efforts and hard work we are here."