Friday, July 11, 2025
At Lynbrook High School, the heartbeat of community service now pulses through a brand-new student organization, thanks to the drive of 17-year-old twins Julia and Jake Palay.
The two siblings co-founded Lynbrook High School’s first-ever LEO Club, a youth branch of the Lions Club International. And behind the club’s rising presence is a deeper mission rooted in family, loss and legacy.
Their grandfather, a former ophthalmologist, first introduced them to Lions Club International. His death became a call to action.
“Being the one I would go to for everything, he was a role model to me,” Jake said. “His qualities of respect, honesty and generosity all stood out to me, and I carry them with me every day.”
The twins, rising seniors, launched the club earlier this school year with support from the West Hempstead Lions Club, the chapter that officially sponsors them.
“My dad was the type of person who loved what he did for a living. He loved helping people,” Paula Palay, their mother, said. “He always put others before himself, and I think my kids really took that away from him and his legacy.”
Julia and Jake’s journey into service began at age 13. For their B’nai Mitzvah project, they collected more than 3,000 pairs of eyeglasses for donation.
Now five years later, that same passion has taken root at their school. The twins have already collected over 6,000 pairs of eyeglasses and organized a slate of service events — from candy-gram fundraisers and bake sales to hosting brunch at the Ronald McDonald House New York Metro.
"It was a pleasure working with Jake and Julia to establish this club at Lynbrook High School,” principal Matthew Sarosy said. “The cause is close to their hearts, and it was obvious to see their passion."
Convincing students to join the club proved more difficult than starting the organization itself, Julia said. They faced challenges in visibility and participation during their first year.
“We had to give an elevator pitch of the club maybe 100 times on our school's club fair day,” Julia said. “We ended up gaining over 100 members for the club.”
But keeping that number up became tougher.
“People say they want to join clubs and then they end up decreasing their involvement,” she said. “But we definitely tried to push people to realize the importance of what they were doing.”
The club found support through school counselor Andrew Rosenberg, who agreed to serve as faculty adviser.
The LEO Club’s work spans the five pillars of Lions Club International service: vision, hunger, diabetes, childhood cancer and the environment. Events this year included volunteering at the Spooky Fest at Tanglewood Preserve, stuffing Easter eggs with the West Hempstead Lions and creating holiday-themed fundraisers.
“Helping people puts a smile on my face,” Jake said. “Another rewarding aspect of our club has been that it has gained tons of recognition…we have younger club members who are actively involved, showing that our club won’t die out after we graduate.”
Julia echoed the impact of volunteerism.
“Even the smallest thing, like making brunch for residents at the Ronald McDonald House, could make their whole day or the whole year,” she said. “You never know when people need help.”
As twins, Julia and Jake often navigate school life together. While their mother said they used to bicker as children, as teenagers, the pair has found a bond through public service.
“They really became very close,” Paula said. “They both have a lot of the same interests. They look out for each other.”
Looking ahead, both students plan to continue their work and build on what they’ve started.
With plans already underway to collaborate next school year with the South Side High School LEO Club, the twins said they are ensuring their chapter won’t just be a passion project, but a permanent fixture of Lynbrook High.
“Doing good feels good,” Julia said. “Where there’s a need, there’s a LEO.”
