Help the Dome School survive prolonged school closure
After launching GoFundMe campaign on Giving Tuesday,
$13,262 of the $22,500 goal has been raised
Takilma, OR — For over 40 years The Dome School and Takilma Community Building have been at the heart of the
Takilma community, educating generations of children and supporting the region.
In addition to operating a preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school, it has served as a gathering space and
local event center, nestled in the woods approximately 9 miles south of Cave Junction, Oregon.
Community-funded and operated, the Dome School is no stranger to tight budgets. But the prolonged school closure
due to the pandemic has the organization and community center fighting to stay afloat.
On Giving Tuesday, December 2020, supporters of the Dome School launched a GoFundMe campaign to help it
survive this period and open back up when it’s able.
Since the campaign went live, 80 people from across Josephine County, Oregon, and the country have contributed,
raising $13,262 of the $22,500 goal.
“With just under one month left in our effort to raise $22,500 for The Dome School and Takilma Community
Building, we are happy and very grateful to announce that we are over half way to reaching our goal” said Dannon
Guinther, Takilma Resident and board member of The Dome School.
“With the school and community building suffering the impacts of the pandemic, we reached out for support in
helping sustain this treasure in Takilma and you have answered. We cannot thank you enough for believing in our
mission, sharing our story and donating. The funds we have received so far have already begun to help the school
and building in so many ways.”
Dannon Guinther concluded, “While we are so excited from what your support has been able to help us accomplish,
we still have a ways to go before we reach our goal. There is still a short amount of time before the online campaign
will be closed. Thank you for continuing to help by spreading the word.”
While the school and buildings have been closed, the community of people it’s created over the years was still able
to unite during the recent Slater Fire. Volunteers from around the area stepped up to cook, feed, and support the
brave fire crews and community volunteers that worked tirelessly to keep Josephine County safe.
The school and community gathering place, a host to a number of different needs and functions including the local
food co-op, has been closed and hasn’t heard the daily pitter-patter of children’s feet since the pandemic led to
closures in March of 2020
“Not only is the Dome School a beloved and highly effective educational institution, it is the glue that holds together
this 50-year-old, close-knit community,” said Kate Dwyer, Takilma resident, board member of the Takilma
Community Association, and former board president of Three Rivers School District..
Due to physical distancing restrictions, the Dome School has not been able to run most of its annual fundraisers that
would normally keep the school solvent. In the past, it’s survived through fundraisers like the Dome of the Dead
Halloween fundraiser, Women’s Cafe in the spring and the Winter Bazaar, plus various building rentals.
2020 has stopped the school right in its tracks.
“The Dome School is a vital part of our community and history. It’s where we teach our kids and come together as a
community. The school relies on tuition and community fundraisers to survive financially. Since March 2020 there
has been no school or fundraisers,” said Jennifer Folkerts, whose 6-year-old daughter attends the school and is eager
to return.
“We need to do everything we can to support the Dome School during this pandemic – so there’s still a school for
our kids to return to.”
– The Dome School’s fundraiser campaign can be found at:
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/the-dome-school
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