Honors showered in West Maas en Waal

Mechlien van de Graaf-Meulepas (Appeltern)

Since 1999, Mechlien van de Graaf-Meulepas has been volunteering at St. Servatius Church, where she takes care of the floral decorations during celebrations and helps with cleaning. A year later, she also started working for the village magazine Sermoentje, where she is still responsible for production, distribution, and advertising.

She was a permanent fixture at De Schuur Meeting Center for many years and was always present at festive occasions. As a board member of the 50+ Seniors Association, she has been organizing bingo afternoons and outings since 2011. In addition, she has been involved with the Open Eettafel (Open Dining Table) since 2016 and has been active at the 't Stekske meeting place since 2019. Her dedication is indispensable, her commitment heartwarming.

Ab de Leeuw (Alphen)

Ab de Leeuw has been active at AVIOS soccer club since 1980. Among other things, he has been a youth leader, trainer, and coach for both men's and women's teams. He is still a board member, organizer of social evenings, and member of the maintenance team. He is a trusted and valued figure within the club.

Since 2003, he has also been a volunteer at the St. Barbara Care Center, where he and his wife assist and support residents. He is also a driver for the Slagbusje van Stichting Leefbaar Alphen Gelderland, transporting residents to facilities in the region. His help is invaluable to the local community.

Willie van Verseveld (Alphen)

Since 1986, Willie van Verseveld has been active as a volunteer at the Unitas '28 soccer club, where he is currently part of the maintenance team. He has also been a permanent fixture at the De Plekkers carnival association for decades, as well as at the Pleinpop festival, where he has been tirelessly involved in setting up and dismantling the site since 2001.

In addition, he has been involved in the Avond4daagse (four-day walking event) in Alphen since 2017 and helps organize the annual Sinterklaas parade. In 2019, he became coordinator at the St. Christoffel parish, where his responsibilities include cemetery management and building maintenance. With his boundless dedication, practical attitude, and warm personality, he is an example to many.

Henny van de Wetering-Driessen (Dreumel)

Henny van de Wetering-Driessen has been involved with the Touché Volleyball Club as a board member since 1990. Although she no longer plays actively herself, her commitment remains as strong as ever: from organizing tournaments to collecting deposit bottles, the club can always count on her.

She also plays a key role at Zwembad De Zeven Morgen swimming pool. Since 1998, she has been involved in the day-to-day running of the pool. Thanks in part to her efforts, the pool was able to remain open at the time. Whether it's recruiting volunteers, liaising with supervisors, or keeping the facilities clean, she's always ready to help.

Although she recently stepped down from the board, she remains active as a volunteer. Her dedication, commitment, and modesty make her an indispensable force within the community.

Coby Jansen (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Coby Jansen has been active at Zwembad De Zeven Morgen since 1998. Over the past 26 years, he has fulfilled countless roles there: from board member and treasurer to point of contact for volunteers and visitors. Thanks to his commitment, tenacity, and unflagging dedication, the swimming pool not only survived but grew into a popular meeting place in the region. He was a board member until early 2024, but even after his departure, he remains involved as a volunteer and advisor.

In addition, since 2023, he has been involved with the Food Bank in Druten, where he works as a customer advisor and food inspector on the new store concept. His careful and respectful approach makes him an indispensable member of the team.

Joop van Verseveld (Wamel)

Since 1964, Joop van Verseveld has been active as a volunteer at vv Unitas '28, where he has served as youth leader, club referee, accommodation manager, and member of the maintenance team, among other roles. He also played a major role in activities such as the annual doughnut sale and the Youth Soccer Camp.

In addition, he has been a familiar face within the De Oude Gierpont Carnival Association since 1991, as a member of the Council of Eleven. In his role as doorman, he is often the first point of contact for visitors and thus the welcoming face of the association. Joop van Verseveld is praised for his quiet strength, reliability, and unbridled dedication.

Harrie Lamers (Wamel)

Since 1990, Harrie Lamers has been continuously involved in organizing the annual soccer camp for the youth of vv Unitas '28. He is responsible for catering and facilities and takes care of the young participants with care and humor; his "paracetamol" is now famous. An estimated 700 children have participated in the camp he co-organizes.

In addition, Harrie Lamers has been active in the De Oude Gierpont Carnival Association since 1991. He served on the board for many years and is a driving force behind the construction committee and all the logistical preparations for events. He also serves as doorman and is therefore often the first face visitors see. He has been a volunteer at the Children's Holiday Days in Wamel since they started in 2006. He helps with setting up, running, and dismantling the event and is a permanent and trusted member of the team.

Jan Schouten (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Since 1993, Jan Schouten has been active in the De Vier Heemskinderen pony club and riding association. Here, he played a crucial role in the reconstruction of the clubhouse, among other things as secretary and fundraiser. In addition, since 2017, he has been involved with Tech-Lokaal, where he introduces children to technology, and he was co-founder of the Lauwse Doe Dagen in 2019.

He is also coordinator of the billiards club of the 50+ Seniors Association and was chairman of two neighborhood associations for many years. He is always ready to help wherever help is needed, even when his health challenges him. His dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts make him an indispensable force in Beneden-Leeuwen.

Alphons Damhuis (Upper Lions)

Alphons Damhuis has been active as secretary since 1998 and has been an indispensable link within the Contrast fotoclub Maas&Waal association for more than 25 years. As a board member, Mr. Damhuis is responsible for organizing numerous activities, including photo competitions, exhibitions, and mentoring programs. He maintains contact with members, the national photography association, and other associations. He also enthusiastically fulfills the role of discussion leader during meetings, where he knows how to engage everyone in a pleasant manner.
With his enthusiasm, commitment, and ability to inspire others, Alphons Damhuis is a driving force behind the success of the photo club.

Fred van Zon (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Since 1978, Fred van Zon has been active as a board member, committee member, and chairperson at TGV Hellas in Tiel. In addition, he has been involved with the De Bloemenbuurters neighborhood association since 1984, where he still actively participates in activities and organization.
Between 2005 and 2012, he was a committee member at Bourgondisch Fruitwandelen, where his organizational talent clearly came to the fore. Since 2014, he has been a board member of Stichting Sport & Recreatie Beneden-Leeuwen, affiliated with MFA De Rosmolen. Here, he contributes to the preservation of social facilities and the facilitation of a wide range of activities.
He is also active in the field of nature conservation: since 2021, he has been working with the Hoogstambrigade and the Klompenpaden of Stichting Landschapsbeheer Gelderland.
With his great sense of responsibility, dedication, and broad commitment, he has been an indispensable force in the community for over 45 years.

Gaby Lamers (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Gaby Lamers has been the indispensable linchpin of the Tora Judo Association since 2002. As competition secretary and initiator of, among other things, G-judo for children with disabilities, he has literally put the association on the map. He is also active in Actief Maas en Waal and teaches judo classes in schools. From 2003 to 2023, he was chairman of the MODINT trade association, where he devoted two decades to the Dutch textile industry with great dedication. As the longest-serving board member, he was a strong and unifying voice in the sector.
As chairman of the Sports and Recreation Foundation (since 2014), volunteer at the Rivierenland Food Bank, host at Dorpshuis D'n Dulper, and as a long-time politician within CDA West Maas en Waal, Gaby Lamers has left an impressive trail of social involvement. A man with vision, decisiveness, and a big heart for his community.

Lies van Gelder (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Lies van Gelder has been volunteering at Zorggroep Maas en Waal, St. Elisabeth location, since 1991. She accompanies residents to church services and was involved in pastoral care for many years. In addition, she has been volunteering at the Seniorenvereniging 50+ (Seniors' Association 50+) in Beneden-Leeuwen since 2013, where she plays a central role in organizing and supporting various activities.
Lies van Gelder has also been of great significance as a caregiver. For more than 50 years, she cared for her brother on a daily basis, demonstrating her undeniable care and dedication. She is also involved in local events such as the Bourgondisch Fruitwandelen (Burgundian Fruit Walk).

Willie van Gelder (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Willie van Gelder has been volunteering at Zorggroep Maas en Waal since 1996. Together with his wife, he has been a familiar face within the organization for 28 years.
Since 1999, he has been the drummer for the choir Trug in de Tèd, with which he also performs during song evenings at St. Elisabeth. In addition, he was a caregiver for his brother-in-law from 2010 to 2023.
He has also been demonstrating his craftsmanship as a carpenter and coordinator of the construction team at Museum Tweestromenland for many years. And since 2017, he has been working as a caretaker and technical assistant at the Seniors' Association in Beneden-Leeuwen, where he also supervises activities such as 'Dancing with a Smile'. In addition, he has been involved in local events such as the cycling race, Wiellawaai, and the Bourgondisch Fruitwandelen for many years, and he was treasurer of the first aid association.