What started as a call for volunteers has turned into something much bigger — a reminder of what can happen when a mountain community rallies around something it loves.
Just weeks after volunteers were asked to step forward to help save the aging roof of the Oakhurst Community Center, the project is now complete, and organizers say the results exceeded expectations. What began as a needed roof replacement ultimately expanded into several major improvements that will benefit the facility and community for years to come.
In Sierra News Online’s earlier coverage, the Oakhurst Community Center was described as far more than a building — a longtime gathering place supported through volunteerism, donations, and community investment. For generations, the center has hosted everything from local meetings and celebrations to youth programs, fundraisers, and nonprofit events, making it one of the mountain area’s most recognizable community spaces.
Now, according to Oakhurst Community Center Board member Jessica Trettin, the outcome surpassed expectations.
“The main hall roof replacement was a wonderful success,” Trettin said. “It is completely replaced with a lighter color, more energy-efficient roofing shingle that will help keep the building cooler.”
In another welcome surprise, only minimal patching was needed beneath the roof — something Trettin described as “an amazing blessing” during a project of this scale.
But the work did not stop there.
Thanks to additional donations and support generated throughout the effort, Trettin said the project expanded beyond the original goal. In addition to replacing the main hall roof, the community was able to replace swamp coolers on the main hall building and complete a new roof on the Little League bathroom building.
“The community really came together to make this happen with the OCC Board of Directors,” Trettin said. “Due to additional funds and donations given to the center, we are so excited to announce that we have also replaced the swamp coolers on the main hall building in addition to the roof on the Little League bathroom building as well.”
According to Trettin, the improvements had been in planning and development with the board for more than a year and a half.
“This project has been planning & development with our board for over a year & a half now and is a really exciting project to have completed for our whole mountain area and the community center itself,” she said.
The success of the project, she added, reflects something familiar to many who live in the mountain communities — people showing up when something important needs help.
Volunteer labor, donated materials, financial support, meals for workers, and logistical help all played a role in making the improvements possible.
“Most people don’t have any idea what it takes to put something like this project together,” said Dennis Kogler, who helped oversee planning and coordination of the effort. “All the help from our community is greatly appreciated, as without all the donations, we could not have completed this huge project.”
For residents who watched the original appeal go out only weeks ago, the completed work feels like more than a successful construction project. It feels like proof of something many in the mountain area already know: when something matters, this community still shows up.
In rural communities like Oakhurst, places such as the community center continue to exist because people decide they are worth preserving. This time, the community did more than raise a roof — it reinforced what makes the mountain area strong.
A Community Effort
Trettin emphasized that the project would not have happened without broad community support and asked that those who donated time, expertise, materials, funding, and food be recognized for helping make the improvements possible.
Project planning and management:
Dennis Kogler and Kogler Enterprises
Businesses, contractors, suppliers, and logistical support:
All Weather Roofing Supply and Shayna Chaney; Mountain Aire and Steven Bates; Rock Wonders and Josh Nott; Sierra Mountain Roofing and Will Foley; Standard Plumbing Supply; Yosemite Falls Lumber and James; Red Rock; Caglia Environmental; and EMADCO, where Ashley Smith donated roll-off dumpsters for the project.
Madera County personnel William Van Ren, Matthew Treber, Jamie Bax, and Bobby Macaulay were also recognized for helping waive permit and dump fees associated with the project.
Nonprofit organizations providing financial support:
The Eastern Madera County Foundation, the Rotary Club of Oakhurst Sierra, the Sunrise Rotary, and the Soroptimist of the Sierras.
Volunteers donating time:
Josh Augason, Don DeBernardi, Gary Marshall, Randy Thomson, Randy and Mike from Sunrise Rotary, Brooke Allen, Eric Wood, Ron Lawrence, Cole Lawrence, Nickolas Kazynski, Daniel Oliva, Bobby Green, Jessica Trettin, Laura Shaw, and Jen Simmons.
Food and refreshments donated for crews:
Jessica Trettin, The Wandering Bride, Karina Bulow-Brown, Yosemite Mortgage, Tina Horn, Bee’s Bakery, Don DeBernardi, Sierra Asset Management, Laura Shaw, eXp Realty, Mindy Klang, Sunrise Rotary, Mike Dinuba, Bigfoot Bakery, Jen Simmons, MY Club, and O.M.F.G Fantastic Grub.
