By Leslie Sundal
Russell Evans possesses an unwavering dedication that has shaped the Pomona Valley community for over 35 years. Through every season, Russell has been a guiding light. He has offered his time, heart, and leadership to ensure that athletes of all abilities have a place to connect and thrive.
Russell’s journey began with his son Michael and a desire to create a life filled with opportunity and inclusion. What started as a personal mission became a lifelong calling. From their first days with Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC), Russell saw the incredible transformation sports could offer. From that moment on, he never looked back.
According to Russell, “If he wasn’t participating in Special Olympics, there really wouldn’t be any regular activities for him, so we made the commitment—my wife and I—to stay involved and help him thrive.”
Driven by a father’s love and fueled by a passion for service, Russell became a cornerstone of the Special Olympics program in Pomona Valley. Week after week, year after year, he showed up for his own son and an entire generation of athletes. Under his care, Michael blossomed into a confident athlete, and Russell began to witness that same transformation in others again and again.
For the past decade, Russell has led with humility and heart. His leadership has inspired a close-knit team of volunteers, coaches, and families who continue to build a culture rooted in acceptance, encouragement, and joy. He has created a space where everyone belongs and where everyone believes they can achieve more than they ever imagined.
Russell understands that the true magic of Special Olympics lies not just in competition. It’s the entire journey: the first time an athlete joins a team, the smile after crossing a finish line, the newfound confidence that carries over into everyday life, and some many more moments. He’s witnessed countless stories of transformation and has been the steady presence helping make them possible.
“When you return the next season and see how much the athletes have grown—their confidence, their teamwork, their self-belief—it’s incredibly rewarding,” he says. “That’s what keeps me going.”
Perhaps the most powerful is the ripple effect of his service. New volunteers, inspired by his example, come to support the athletes and find themselves forever changed. Parents become coaches. Strangers become family. Communities grow stronger.
Russell Evans embodies the very spirit of volunteerism. His compassion, resilience, and commitment have made a lasting impact on everyone around him. He reminds us that one person’s dedication can ignite a movement and that showing up again and again is how real change happens.
SOSC thanks Russell for his extraordinary service. He is more than a volunteer. He is a mentor, a leader, and a true champion for Special Olympics athletes in Pomona Valley.