The beginning of the pandemic was a scary time. Everything seemed to change so quickly, and no one knew what to expect. When schools closed across the country, students of all ages felt very isolated, and parents, suddenly placed with the responsibility of “homeschooling” their kids, felt intimidated by the unprecedented amount of time spent at home. To combat these new challenges, students Mason, Ryan, and Logan Benvenuto paired up with Sofia and Penelope Yaker to establish the Owl Buddy Program.

The initiative paired a high school or middle school student with an elementary-aged buddy. It was inspired by the need to provide an outlet and sense of purpose to overwhelmed Lynbrook students, and it also presented an opportunity to gain much-needed community service hours. Once or twice a week, students spent time on an online platform such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet to read, talk, tutor, exercise, and create games. Owl Buddies made sure to keep kids busy, socializing, and on top of their schoolwork.  After three months, the Owl Buddy Program amassed over 250 students across all K-12 grades.

“I think the Owl Buddy Program had a huge impact on so many Lynbrook families,” said Mason Benvenuto. “For all of us to come together during such a difficult time and make the best out of things was just amazing. Some kids formed such deep connections with their buddies, and it was so cool to see friendships form between older and younger students. It was an experience I will never forget.”

Nowadays, it seems natural to walk into a supermarket, a restaurant, or a mall and see every face covered with a mask. But in the early weeks of the pandemic, there was a great shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and even hospitals struggled to maintain a large enough stock. Junior Lorelei Dillon recognized this crisis and rose to the occasion to help front-line workers in the Lynbrook community.

Although she was initially inexperienced with a sewing machine, Lorelei enlisted the help of Google and her mother, Sheila, to teach her how to sew. The pair made over 300 cotton masks for several different groups of front-line workers, including the Lynbrook Fire Department, the Lynbrook Police Department, and Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in Oceanside. They then got in contact with the East Rockaway-based group Moms Making Masks in order to access an even wider range of people in need. 

Lorelei said that the workers she gifted with masks were extremely appreciative. Some even requested certain colors to match their uniforms, and hospital workers asked for bright colored fabrics to put smiles on the faces of their patients.

“During the height of the pandemic,” shared Lorelei, “I wanted to know that I had made a positive difference in the community. I had so much time on my hands and saw on social media that there was a massive mask shortage, especially in hospitals. So, I looked up a template and got to work…I am so grateful that I had this experience. Not only did it help others, but it kept me busy and helped me stay content during such difficult times.”

Sophomore Benjamin Svartz, currently studying abroad in Italy for the remainder of the school year, also donated much-needed PPE to members of the community. During the height of the pandemic and the statewide shutdown, Svartz delivered masks and hand sanitizer to his elderly neighbors, specifically those who could not go out and purchase them themselves. 

He said that the idea came to him because he was searching for ways to help the community and make a positive difference during the difficult time. He also wanted to show his peers that there are ways to take an active role in making a change, rather than to wait around for someone else to do it. He hopes to help others and inspire more teenagers to help their communities.

Overall, Svartz delivered goods to more than 300 people in Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Valley Stream, Oceanside, and other local areas. His efforts also included cooking for many older adults and helping his neighbors with housework.

“I felt like it was so important to help my neighbors because as a community, we are one big family, and we should all help each other during times of crisis,” said Svartz. “Everyone who I delivered masks to was so thankful. It made me really happy to see all of their smiles.”

In early October, the Student Government Association (SGA) teamed up with the Lynbrook Community Cares Committee, a volunteer group founded by two village residents. Students running for a position in the club were required to participate in the Lynbrook Cares food drive and provide at least 10 nonperishable products. Over 50 students volunteered, and the SGA was able to donate more than 500 canned/non-perishable goods to Lynbrook citizens in need. 

According to SGA advisor Mary Kirby, the club has a strong connection with the Village of Lynbrook. Members have worked in collaboration with the Lynbrook Recreation Department for years, volunteering for annual events such as Halloween Havoc, Winter Celebration, and Breakfast with Santa. Kirby shared that she was blown away by the amount of food raised by her club members. “I am so very proud of the SGA students every single day,” she said. “They never cease to amaze me.”

SGA slate president Joe Giovinco was also very proud of the club for its teamwork in collecting such a large amount of goods. “The food drive was so successful,” he said, “and it was a great way to bring everyone together while still being safe. Especially in times like these, there are many people in need, so to be able to provide all the food we did was amazing.”