Boys & Girls Club Blog

April 15, 2024

Recognizing Commitment to the Mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh

The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh announces CR Meyer, Verve, A Credit Union, Mark Lasky and Lauren Nicholls as its 2023 Distinguished Service Awards recipients.

At the end of each year, the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh recognizes an outstanding staff member, board member, volunteer or Club supporter and a local business all of whom go above and beyond in their support of the Club’s mission. The Boys & Girls Club would like to extend each of the following winners of our 2023 Distinguished Service Awards heartfelt congratulations and our sincerest thanks for all you do!

CR Meyer was presented with the Award of Merit which goes to a volunteer or contributor who has made an extraordinary contribution of time and/or resources. C.R Meyer has been the epitome of giving substantial time and effort into the betterment of the Club. This began with the original construction of the Radford Center and gym over 30 years ago and the Club’s recent $18.5M remodel and building expansion. This award recognizes all of the hard work that the C.R. Meyer team has done to make this expansion a reality. Their leadership on the building expansion including, the Hyde Family Community Center, Verve Administrative Center, Amcor Teen Center, and renovation of the OshKosh B’gosh Middle School Center, Radford Club and J. Wilcox Head Start building is nothing short of extraordinary. In addition, C.R. Meyer has contributed to and volunteered at WineFeast, Golf Outings, and Afternoon Tea and handed out awards at the Youth of the Year Dinner. They also participate in Adopt-a-Family every year and their staff donates Thanksgiving meals and backpacks for the Back-to-School fair. C.R. Meyer believes in the mission of our Club and we are grateful for their partnership over the years.

Verve, A Credit Union was presented with the Kids & Community Award which goes to an individual or business that has demonstrated community leadership in supporting the mission of the Club. Verve has had a longtime relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh for decades. They have sponsored our WineFeast event, the Club’s largest annual fundraiser, helping raise thousands of dollars for our Club members. Participation doesn’t stop there; it extends to all major events, including our annual Afternoon Tea and Alumni Golf Outing events. They also ran various fundraising drives for the Club such as bike, back-to-school and hygiene drives. Their influence on our youth has been further amplified by sharing their area of expertise, as they dedicate time and arrange for staff to provide valuable lessons on financial management and other financial advice. While they were a major contributor to our capital campaign, providing us with the Verve Administrative Center, this award also honors all the years they volunteered at, and contributed to the Club. CEO Tracy Ogden is most impressed with that “Verve is always looking for ways to connect their staff to the Club. Raising their hand and asking, how can we do more?”

Mark Lasky was presented with the J.R. Vette Friend of Youth Award which is named in memory of Lifetime Board Member J.R. Vette and goes to a board member who has put forth outstanding efforts to further the mission of the Club. Mark Lasky is the CEO of Sadoff Iron & Metal Company and has served on the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh’s Board of Directors since 2006. Mark has his hand in various Club involvements such as the executive committee, board development committee, mentoring new board members, and was a past Board President from 2010-2012. Mark is so invested because “it is one of the most meaningful endeavors in my life. The Club’s impact on children and families has positive, tangible benefits.” His passion for the Club runs in the family, as he is a third-generation donor to the Club of Oshkosh. He and his wife, Kristen, are longtime friends of the Club and greatly value the services it provides to the community. So much so, that they are a part of Heritage Club, which writes the Club into their estate plans. He also participates in the Adopt-a-Family program every year and their family has hand-delivered Thanksgiving meals over the holidays.

Lauren Nicholls was presented with the Professional Service Award which goes to a Boys & Girls Club staff member who’s rendered exceptionally devoted service. Lauren has been working at the Club for 11 years and is known for her “can do” attitude and willingness to jump in and help her teammates. She has served in a variety of roles since she began working at the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh. When Lauren started at the Club she was a lead teacher at our licensed school sites. She continued during the summer with 5 and 6-year-olds in our Great Explorers Program. One standout achievement in Lauren’s career was becoming the first Middle School Coordinator in the Club’s 50-year history. She promoted this program by going door-to-door recruiting new members, and informing them of all the outstanding things occurring at the Club. Currently, she serves as the Club Services Coordinator focusing on quality improvement with staff and members. She also tracks volunteer applicants, their background checks, and other requirements to ensure that volunteers who come into the Club are engaged and our members are safe.

In addition, Jamie Wilcox, Director of Facilities, has been awarded the National Contribution to the Profession Award courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club of America.

This award is presented to someone who has made a significant contribution towards the advancement of the Boys & Girls Club movement during the course of their career. Jamie has made an incredible contribution to our Club, especially with his lifelong dedication from being a Club member as a child, to lending a helping hand in various Club activities. Jamie’s contributions extend from building maintenance to programming questions, tending to administration needs and more. His knowledge of the Club and the care that he shares for staff and members is truly special.

Board Service Award: 25 years
Doug Hyde, Lifetime Board Member

Board Service Award, 25 years:
Kurt Koeppler, Lifetime Board Member

Board Service Award, 15 Years:
Jeff Trembly, Oshkosh Coil Spring, Inc

Board Service Award, 10 Years:
Stephanie Gensler, Baker Tilly US LLP