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Sund honored for work in Evans Valley Bruce Sund Wednesday Oct 26, 2016 at 6:30 PM Oct 26, 2016 at 6:30 PM Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune @VickieAldous When the Evans Valley Elementary School closed in 2011 because of declining enrollment and students shifted south to the Rogue River Elementary School, longtime area residents Bruce Sund and his wife, Cheryl Martin-Sund, helped turn the shuttered school into a community center. On Wednesday, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners presented this month's Community Service Award to Sund for his work at the center, time on the Rogue River School Board and coaching of youth sports teams. Sund thanked commissioners for the award, and said he also wanted to accept the honor on behalf of his wife. The former Evans Valley Elementary School campus is now a vibrant, multi-purpose facility for the community to use and enjoy, according to a letter nominating Sund for the award and describing the couple's volunteer efforts. The couple were pivotal in mending the relationship between the community and school district after the difficult decision was made to close the elementary school. They make repairs to the community center, write grants and operate a thrift store that helps pay for improvements to the center, the letter said. Sitting among 28 acres with forest and meadow land, a salmon-bearing creek, a baseball field, playground, track and walking and biking trails, the center houses a gym and stage. An annex offers learning and enrichment opportunities to home-schooled students, according to the Evans Valley Community Association. "I've been out there. It is a wonderful facility. Nice work," Commissioner Doug Breidenthal said to Sund while presenting the volunteer award. In addition to his volunteer work at the center, Sund coaches middle school boys soccer and basketball teams. "I also coach middle school basketball boys and I know it's a lot of fun, but they're also a challenge at that age," said Commissioner Rick Dyer. Sund said his wife aids with the teams by doing countless hours of behind-the-scenes work, including washing water bottles and uniforms. With his soccer team headed to state, Sund noted, "We've been out there in the rain three hours every night." Meanwhile, his boys' basketball team starts its season this week, he said. After receiving a framed certificate, Sund left the commissioners' meeting for a volunteer shift at the Evans Valley Education & Community Center thrift store. Sund said many volunteers with the School Board and Evans Valley Community Association are also deserving of recognition. "Everyone is willing to help. I share this award with everyone," he said. "When we see something that needs to be done, we just do it." Reach staff reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous.