Eugene celebrates Community Service Award winners

Speaker At the 2026 State of the City with the winners of the Community Service Awards, Mayor Kaarin Knudson:

Mayor Kaarin Knudson Our next portion of this program (in a moment) is speaking about our Community Service Award winners, introducing them to you all tonight. But before that, I want to take a moment to honor some of the community leaders who we lost in 2025. 

We honor Bill Dellinger, an Olympic medalist and legendary University of Oregon track coach whose dedication to athletics and mentorship helped define Eugene as Tracktown USA. 

We honor James Edmondson, a respected attorney and former Oregon legislator whose leadership and advocacy for education and justice made a profound impact on Eugene and the state. 

We honor Gil Hulin, a devoted youth sports coach whose decades of mentoring through Kidsports and at South Eugene High School left a lasting mark on Eugene’s community. 

We honor Chuck and Sue Kesey, founders of Springfield Creamery and creators of Nancy’s Yogurt, whose pioneering spirit and deep ties to Eugene’s arts and natural foods culture left a lasting legacy here. 

We honor Doug Koke, the president of QSL Print Communications and a beloved Oregon Ducks fan who set new standards for how we can show up in community. 

We honor Gavin McComas, longtime owner of Sundance Natural Foods, whose passion for local food and community has made his store a cornerstone. 

We honor Sharon Schuman, a gifted violinist and retired professor whose passion for music education and community enriched Eugene’s cultural life and inspired countless students. 

And we honor Rick Wright, CEO of Market of Choice, remembered for his generosity and commitment to local businesses and local families who strengthened the everyday fabric of our community. 

There are so many more. We honor the people and the names who you are holding in your hearts right now. Please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. 

Every year, the Community Service Awards recognize individuals and organizations who demonstrate excellence in leadership, a focus on building partnerships, and outstanding initiative in service to our community. 

This award is often described as an honor for community superconnectors. This year, I’m so pleased to present this award to three honorees who come to service by their very nature. It is really who they are. It’s a trio who have gone above and beyond to help our community navigate challenging, urgent, and defining issues. 

Our first 2026 Community Service Award recipient is DeLeesa Meashintubby (applause).

DeLeesa has been a tireless advocate for health and equity in our community. As executive director of Volunteers in Medicine, she leads a free clinic that provides essential health care to uninsured adults in Lane County. Her leadership ensures that thousands of individuals receive the care that they need to live healthier lives, and she was a central part of the partnership that created the Everyone Village Health Clinic model. That is such a fantastic success within our community. 

Beyond her work at Volunteers in Medicine, DeLeesa is a member of the PeaceHealth System Board of Directors, secretary of the United Way of Lane County Board, and secretary of the Lane County Medical Society Foundation Advisory Board. She serves on the Bushnell University Board of Trustees and the Pacific Cascade Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, and the Eugene Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Through all of these roles, DeLeesa champions collaboration and equity and opportunity for all. She is an incredible mentor and she brings light into every room. As a part of this recognition, we are presenting DeLeesa with a certificate of appreciation that reads:

‘In recognition of DeLeesa Meashintubby, for your exceptional service and dedication to the Eugene community, your leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact.’ DeLeesa Meashintubby, congratulations.

DeLeesa Meashintubby Okay, I’ll have your dollars out at the door in the back when you leave. I just want to say thank you, Mayor. Thank you, city. Thank you, community. I have my ride or die here with me, and that’s my husband, who allows me to do all of these things that I do. I handed him the words I had written down, so I’m just going to say this to you here. 

Community service is not just with one person. That word community is all of us. We have a resilient city here. We have a city that when they see the need, they work together to meet the need. And what I want to say to you all tonight: Never stop giving that service. Because you know what? We’re better together. We’re stronger together. And we’re much better community together. Thank you.

Mayor Kaarin Knudson Our second 2026 Community Service Award recipient is Armando Morales, who for more than four decades, Armando has been a cornerstone of cultural enrichment and advocacy within Eugene. 

As a longtime educator, he taught Spanish and Latin American culture in local schools and universities, inspiring generations. 

In 1983, Armando co-founded ¡Ahora Sí!, Oregon’s oldest Spanish-language radio program, which continues to provide music, news and cultural service, cultural programming for the Latino community. 

Truly for us all, you will recognize Armando’s voice if you do not know him already. His passion for the arts led him to form the musical group Sandunga and perform with Teatro Nuestro, bringing Latin American music and theater to audiences across the Northwest. 

Beyond the stage and classroom, Armando has championed immigrant rights and organized community events like Eugene’s Dia de Los Muertos celebration, fostering inclusion and honoring tradition. 

As a part of this recognition, we are presenting Armando with a certificate of appreciation that reads: ‘In recognition of Armando Morales for your exceptional service and dedication to the Eugene community: Your leadership and education, cultural advocacy and community engagement has made a lasting impact.’ Congratulations, Armando. Thank you.

Armando Morales Gracias. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. The person right here present. And I want to say a few words. Thank you to my wife. She supported me to do these things. I also thank you to the organization of MEChA, the University of Oregon, that they let me work with them. 

Also, thank you to Adelante Sí that also, they let me work with them, with the museum of the University of Oregon, that they let me work at KLCC also, and Adelante Sí Casa Guanajuato, also they let me work with them and led me to development. 

I’m going to say the last thing you know, we are right now in a tough situation, my community and only will let you. I let you know that we are immigrants. We are. We have heart. We are humans and only. That’s what I would say. And the only way I believe. 

The only way this country is based on laws and the only way we can help our community is writing to our Congress and ask for amnesty or immigration reform for them. This is the only way that we can help them legally. Thank you for everything.

Mayor Kaarin Knudson Our third 2026 Community Service Award recipient is Rusty Rexius. Rusty is co-president of Rexius, a family-owned company that has been a part of Eugene’s business community for more than 90 years. (Big birthday coming up real soon.) 

Under his leadership, Rexius continues to provide sustainable landscaping solutions while creating local jobs and supporting our economy. Also an incredible partner in the City of Eugene’s Waste Prevention program. Fine. Fine detail, fine print, but absolutely the case. 

Rusty’s commitment to service extends far beyond his business. He currently serves as vice chair of the Pleasant Hill School Board and vice chair of the board for Christians as Family Advocates, where he helps strengthen families and support children within our region. 

Through these roles, Rusty demonstrates a deep dedication to education, family well-being, and community growth. As part of this recognition, we are presenting Rusty with a certificate of appreciation that reads: In recognition of Rusty Rexius for your exceptional service and dedication to the Eugene community, for your leadership in business, philanthropy, and civic engagement. You have made a lasting impact. Congratulations, Rusty.

Rusty Rexius Thank you, Mayor, for this honor. Following DeLeesa and Armando, I’m not 100% sure I’m in the right spot. 

But 91 years ago, my grandfather Sol Rexius started Rexius Fuel and he said he did that for two reasons. He wanted to improve the lives of the people that came to work to our company, and he wanted those jobs that those men and women have to be jobs that they would be proud of. And he did that. And that seems like community service to me. 

Several years later, Grandpa Sol and a few other men started Lane County Youth for Christ. You all know that as Campus Life, more community service. Forty years ago, my sister Leanne started a local preschool, Emerald Child Development Center. Hundreds of kids got very early care and attention that shaped their lives forever. Some are probably here today. Definitely community service. 

Thirty-two years ago, my mom and my dad started a nonprofit, Christians Family Advocates. Their mission was to create a safe place for kids who were suffering the consequences of domestic violence. Thousands of kids and their families have benefited from there, and so many others work, including the executive director here tonight. That most certainly is community service. 

Twenty years ago, my wife Susie helped launch and run and still mentors Reaching Out Mentoring, a school based-mentoring program at Pleasant Hill that comes alongside the most vulnerable kids in our rural school district and helps them navigate the very real challenges of their unstable lives. I’ve seen that community service firsthand. 

I have a brother-in-law, two nieces, my cousin’s daughter, all are teachers in 4J and Bethel School District. There’s no greater display of community service than teachers. 

And then there’s the coaching. I have brothers in laws, nieces and nephews, and probably hundreds of employees at Rexius who have given thousands of hours to young boys and girls to help connect them with the beauty of reality, of sport and life. It’s a very real gift of community service. 

As I’ve reflected on these nearly 100 years of the people, I am the closest to doing these amazing things. It occurs to me community service is not something you do, it’s who you are. It just comes out. It leaks. And I followed suit, I think, I hope, because that’s who I am—at least who I want to be. And it’s certainly been modeled for me, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. 

I’m also incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been given to serve the thing we’re celebrating today. Many of you in the room are the ones who got to do that, so thank you. Mayor, thank you. It’s an amazing honor, I appreciate it.

Speaker The city of Eugene celebrates the Community Service Awards.