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The Schaeffer family has been part of the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club community for years. Currently sitting on the Board of Trustees, Justin started chairing the Sam Sylvia Golf Tournament in 2019 and has led it every year since. Claire co-chaired the Tim Russert Summer Groove in 2018 and 2019, putting the couple at the helm of the Club's two largest fundraising events.  Both sides of the family have supported the Club since 2018, with Justin's parents, Liz and Peter, and Claire's parents, John and Carol Moriarty, all active givers. As a family, the Schaeffers hosted the Club's inaugural Naples tour, welcoming new friends to the mission and vision of the Club, making a transformational impact on the Club by strengthening the NBGC’s ties to the seasonal community that cares deeply about the island's kids. This summer, that connection took on new meaning when Lily, the youngest of Justin and Claire's three children after Maisie and Auggie, became the family's first Club Kid.

For one night each August, the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club looks a little different. The basketball hoops disappear behind flowers and fabric. The gym fills with dinner tables. Club families, longtime supporters, friends and neighbors come together under one roof for the Tim Russert Summer Groove. This year, more than 600 guests joined us for the 24th Annual Summer Groove, making 2026 the largest seated fundraiser the NBGC has hosted ever before. But the significance of the night goes far beyond what happens inside the gym. Summer Groove alone provides 40% of the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club’s annual operating budget. Those funds help keep our doors open throughout the year, supporting the programs, staff and resources that Nantucket children and families rely on every day. That means an evening of bidding, dancing and celebrating becomes something much bigger. It becomes a preschool classroom ready to welcome our youngest Club Kids in the morning. It becomes a safe place to go after school. It becomes summer camp, athletics, teen programming, meals, mentors and a building where kids can simply be kids. 

On Wednesday, July 1, renowned Nantucket author and longtime community member Elin Hilderbrand welcomed guests into her home for the inaugural Five Star Summer Soirée. The evening brought together 74 guests for a memorable night of community, connection, and support for the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club. Guests heard from Board Chair Bess Clarke and CEO Jamie Foster, who shared how the Club continues to provide a safe, supportive environment where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. Club alumna Garvia Lee offered a heartfelt reflection on the lasting impact the Club has had on her life, while Elin Hilderbrand spoke about her own family's connection to the Club, sharing how meaningful it was for her children and why investing in the next generation of Nantucket youth is so important. The success of the inaugural Five Star Summer Soirée would not have been possible without the generosity of Elin Hilderbrand, the dedication of our trustees, and the support of everyone who attended. Their enthusiasm, thoughtful conversations, and commitment to the Club helped strengthen new relationships and inspire continued investment in the future of Nantucket's youth. Stream all episodes of Peacock’s Five Star Weekend now.

On Friday, June 26th, 15 Nantucket Boys & Girls Club Summer Campers left the island behind for one of the most exciting days of the summer — a trip to Gillette Stadium to watch Norway take on France in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The day started early. Club kids convened at the NBGC and traveled to the Hy-Line dock, backpacks packed and energy already high, boarding the 9:55am ferry to Hyannis. The boat ride was half the fun. Groups spread out across the cabin playing Uno and Pick-Up Sticks and buzzing with anticipation for what was ahead. Once they docked, the group loaded into a private van and made their way to Foxborough. Pulling into the Gillette Stadium lot and stepping out into a sea of international flags, jerseys, and fans from around the world was something else entirely. Thousands of people had traveled from across the globe to be there and our kids were right in the middle of it. They walked through the gates together, took in the scale of the stadium, and even ran into fellow Club kids from Martha's Vineyard for a quick photo before settling in to watch France put on an absolute clinic, beating Norway 4-1. Ousmane Dembélé was the star of the show, scoring three goals, known in soccer as a hat trick, in the 7th, 20th, and 32nd minutes. For many of our kids, it was their first time experiencing something on this scale. For all of them, it was a day that reminded them that the world is big, and it is theirs to explore. After the final whistle, the group made their way back to the island, catching the 7:30pm Steamship Authority ferry home, tired, full of stories, and probably still talking about Dembélé. None of it would have been possible without the generous support of Governor Maura Healey, the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, the Weezie Foundation, and Glidden & Brescher. We are deeply grateful for their belief in our kids and their commitment to creating experiences that go far beyond the walls of our Club. Thank you for giving our kids the world.

The Nantucket Boys & Girls Club has announced that Alice “Tish” Emerson will be honored with the 2026 Tim Russert Spirit of Hope Award at its annual Summer Groove celebration. This award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their community through service, leadership, and generosity. Tish is a fitting recipient, having spent decades making a difference on Nantucket and helping strengthen the organizations that serve the island. Since first coming to Nantucket in 1964, Tish has been deeply involved in the community. Over the years, she has shared her time, expertise, and support with many local organizations, helping advance education, preserve Nantucket’s history, and invest in future generations. At the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club, Tish has been a dedicated champion for island youth. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2014 and has played an important role in supporting the Club’s mission to ensure every child has access to opportunities, mentorship, and a place to belong. In recognition of her lasting impact, she was named a Trustee Emerita. Tish is receiving the Spirit of Hope Award for her decades of commitment to Nantucket and the people who call it home. In addition to her work with the Club, she has provided leadership and support to organizations including the Nantucket Atheneum, Nantucket Historical Association, and Nantucket New School, helping these institutions grow and thrive. A lifelong educator, Tish also served as the first female president of Wheaton College, where she led the institution through a period of significant growth and change before continuing her work in higher education through the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. “Tish has spent years quietly making Nantucket a better place,” said Jamie Foster, CEO of the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club. “Her dedication to young people, education, and community service has touched countless lives, and we are honored to celebrate her as this year’s recipient of the Tim Russert Spirit of Hope Award.”