The Chiloquin Elementary School team was recognized by Senator Jeff Merkley during his virtual town hall meeting.
“The staff rallied quickly in the face of adversity and spent days coordinating with families who were impacted, providing supplies, cooking meals, and even responding and putting out spot fires on nearby properties,” Merkley said in his presentation. “More than 70 families were assisted by the Chiloquin Elementary team, and the flag is a way to symbolize our appreciation for your excellent efforts.”
The Two Four Two Fire swept through the area just before school started in September, and Chiloquin Elementary School staff spent their first week contacting students and their families to ensure they were safe and to offer help. The school, with the help of donations from the Klamath Tribes and others, was able to serve as a distribution hub, providing food, water, diapers, hygiene kits, and even food for dogs and chickens to area families.
Chiloquin Elementary School Principal Rita Hepper and Vice Principal Janelle Emard headed the effort with help from Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School Principal Scott Preston.
“We’re incredibly humbled and grateful to get this recognition,” Hepper said during the presentation. “It was an unexpected first week of school for us. I want to thank our Chiloquin Elementary School staff, The Klamath Tribes, local churches, family members and friends, our high school principal, Klamath County School District, Friends of the Children and many other organizations that were part of our efforts.
I feel honored – I think we all feel honored – to be part of such a close and amazing community.”
At every town hall, the senator awards a flag to a community group or program that is making a positive difference in the community and improves the life of its residents.
The Two Four Two Fire started Sept. 7 near Collier State Park, and by Sept. 11, had burned more than 12,500 acres, threatening 1,278 structures, damaging 70, and destroying 35. The city of Chiloquin, where the elementary and high schools are located, was not directly threatened by the flames.
Merkley also recognized The Klamath Tribes, acknowledging their efforts during the fire. The Tribes provided lodging at their Sleep Inn hotel for fire crews and volunteers, set up a staging ground for the Red Cross, utilized their health clinic for rapid COVID-19 testing of emergency responders, and created a GoFundMe to help people recover from the disaster.