Boys & Girls Club Blog

August 5, 2025

On July 30, the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh held its 15th annual Afternoon Tea event at The Gibson Social Club. The tea event is part of the Character & Empowerment program designed for the young ladies of the Club, ages 7-10.

Every summer, up to 60 Club girls join the program and attend six classes, taught by organizations and friends of the Club, that build positive character and leadership skills. This year’s classes focused on wellness, self-confidence, leadership, resilience, self-expression and more.

The Afternoon Tea event, presented by CR Meyer, served as the culminating celebration of the program, bringing together Club girls and women from the community for a meaningful afternoon of connection and recognition. Guests enjoyed tea, a light lunch and the opportunity to build relationships across generations, while celebrating the girls’ successful completion of the program’s classes. To make the day even more memorable, each girl was treated to a brand-new sundress, flip-flops and received a special hairstyle, helping them feel confident, proud and celebrated.

The event featured a positive and inspiring message from speaker, Vicki Updike. Vicki is a passionate leader, coach, and former CEO who helps people and organizations grow, build confidence, and work together more effectively. She is the founder of a leadership consulting firm where she guides teams and individuals to reach their full potential through trust, communication and clear goals. She delivered an empowering message on confidence, acknowledging that everyone faces challenges with self-assurance and encouraging attendees and Club girls to focus on their strengths and positive qualities.

Selah Schaeffer, president of the Keystone Leadership Club at the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, shared her inspiring journey from feeling isolated after moving to Oshkosh to finding a supportive community through the Club. Through Keystone, Selah has developed leadership skills and helped organize impactful projects, including a blood drive and a teen-run store, contributing over 800 volunteer hours this year. She credits the Boys & Girls Club with providing lasting friendships, mentorship and a sense of belonging, where she hopes her story encourages others to find their own supportive communities.

We are excited to enter the 16th year of this program in 2026. Save the date for next summer – July 29, 2026! Our founding sponsor and Club friend, Helaine Lasky, has been a vital partner in making the program possible for all these years, helping over 800 girls become confident, wonderful young ladies.

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor CR Meyer, speaker Vicki Updike, Founder of New Sage Strategies LLC and The Women’s Leadership Conference, and all our Afternoon Tea Sponsors, guests, stylists and volunteers who made this event extra special!

Thank you to all our sponsors:

Presenting: CR Meyer; Dreamer: Helaine Lasky; Speaker: Silver Star Brands Foundation; Inspiration: Oshkosh Area Women’s Fund; Great Futures: Connie Hay, Chrys Hyde and Shea Electric & Communications LLC; Sun Dress: Sheldon & Lori Lasky, Oshkosh Area Women’s Association and Jeff & Ann Trembly; Girls Tote Bag: 4imprint; Flip Flop: American Cylinder Gas, Bob & Sidonia Burnell, Dr. Laurie Muller, Fox River Valley Ethanol, Old Navy, Omni Glass & Paint, Oshkosh Area Women’s Association and Jeff & Ann Trembly; Class: Friend of the Club and Kaldas Center.

Thank you to our Venue Sponsor, The Gibson Social Club (especially Ellee and Will); our guest photographer, Nathaniel Flauger, Eternal Moments Photography; and our Luncheon Sponsor, Becket’s (Kris and team). Thank you to the stylists who did the girls’ hair: Gracie Maher from By Grace Bridal Artistry LLC, Francesca Mattox from Cesca Hairstyles, LLC + Carter’s Oshkosh, Teri Stern & Savanni Lenhard from Family Values Hair Salon, Jennie Spanbauer & Kim Wallace from Starstruck Artistry, Emma Dobbratz & Mimi Gorski from Studio R Beauty Lounge and Gacia Coronado & Cara Schuhart. Thank you to those who ran Character & Empowerment Classes this summer: CR Meyer, Expressive Therapies, Oshkosh Corporation, Service League of Oshkosh and S.P.A.R.K.  A special thank you to all those that sponsored girls.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can get involved in next year’s Character, Empowerment & Afternoon Tea program, please contact our Director of Development, Bonnie Behnke, at (920) 233-1414, ext. 129 or bonnieb@bgcosh.org. Learn more on our website at bgcosh.org/afternoon-tea. See more photos from Afternoon Tea on our Facebook page!