Royal Honours Ceremony 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 arranges the floral decorations for services and helps with cleaning. A year later, she also joined the village newspaper Sermoentje, where she remains responsible for production, distribution, and advertising.

She was a regular at De Schuur Community Center for many years and was always there for special events. As a board member of the 50+ Seniors’ Association, she has also been organizing bingo afternoons and outings since 2011. In addition, she has been involved with the Open Eettafel since 2016 and has been active at the ’t Stekske community center since 2019. Her dedication is indispensable, and her commitment is heartwarming.

Ab de Leeuw (Alphen)

Ab de Leeuw has been involved with the AVIOS soccer club since 1980. Among other roles, he has served as a youth leader, trainer, and coach for both men’s and women’s teams. He remains a board member, organizes social gatherings, and is a member of the maintenance crew. He is a familiar and valued figure within the club.

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

Willie van Verseveld (Alphen)

Willie van Verseveld has been volunteering at the Unitas ’28 soccer club since 1986, where he is currently a member of the maintenance crew. He has also been a stalwart of the De Plekkers carnival association for decades, as well as of the Pleinpop festival, where he has worked tirelessly on setup and takedown since 2001.

In addition, he has been involved with the Avond4daagse in Alphen since 2017 Alphen helps organize the Sinterklaas parade every year. In 2019, he became a coordinator at St. Christoffel Parish, where his responsibilities include cemetery management and building maintenance. With his boundless dedication, practical approach, and warm personality, he is an inspiration 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 dedication remains as strong as ever: from organizing tournaments to collecting returnable bottles, the club can always count on her.

She also plays a key role at De Zeven Morgen Swimming Pool. Since 1998, she has been involved in the day-to-day operations of the pool. Thanks in part to her dedication, the pool was able to remain open at the time. Whether it’s recruiting volunteers, liaising with regulators, 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 asset to the community.

Coby Jansen (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Coby Jansen has been involved with Zwembad De Zeven Morgen since 1998. Over the past 26 years, he has held numerous roles there: from board member and treasurer to point of contact for volunteers and visitors. Thanks to his dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment, the pool not only remained open but also grew into a beloved community hub in the region. He served as a board member until early 2024, but even after stepping down, he remains involved as a volunteer and advisor.

In addition, since 2023 he has been volunteering at the Food Bank in Druten, where he contributes to the new store concept as a client support worker and food inspector. His careful and respectful approach makes him an indispensable member of the team.

Joop van Verseveld (Wamel)

Joop van Verseveld has been volunteering at vv Unitas ’28 since 1964, where his roles have included youth leader, club referee, facilities manager, and member of the maintenance crew. He also played a major role in activities such as the annual oliebollen sale and the Youth Soccer Camp.

In addition, he has been a familiar face at the De Oude Gierpont Carnival Association since 1991, serving 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 serves as the welcoming face of the association. Joop van Verseveld is praised for his quiet strength, reliability, and boundless dedication.

Harrie Lamers (Wamel)

Since 1990, Harrie Lamers has been actively involved in organizing the annual soccer camp for the youth of vv Unitas '28. He is responsible for catering and facilities, and looks after the young participants with care and humor; his “little paracetamol tablets” have become famous. It is estimated that some 700 children have participated in the camp he helped organize.

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 logistical preparations for events. He also serves as a doorman and is thus often the first face visitors see. He Wamel a volunteer at the Children’s Vacation Days in Wamel since the event’s inception in 2006. He assists with setup, execution, and takedown, and is a reliable and trusted member of the team.

Jan Schouten (Beneden-Leeuwen)

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

He also serves as coordinator of the billiards club at the 50+ Seniors’ Association and served as president of two neighborhood associations for many years. He is always ready to lend a hand wherever help is needed, even when his health presents challenges. His dedication, commitment, and tireless efforts make him an indispensable force in Beneden-Leeuwen.

Alphons Damhuis (Boven-leeuwen)

Alphons Damhuis has served as secretary since 1998 and has been an indispensable member of the Contrast Maas&Waal Photo Club for over 25 years. As a board member, Mr. Damhuis is responsible for organizing numerous activities, including photo contests, exhibitions, and mentoring programs. He maintains contact with members, the national photography association, and other clubs. He also enthusiastically serves as moderator during meetings, engaging everyone in a pleasant manner.
With his enthusiasm, dedication, 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 served 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 continues to actively participate in activities and organizational efforts.
Between 2005 and 2012, he served as a committee member for Bourgondisch Fruitwandelen, where his organizational skills were clearly evident. Since 2014, he has served as a board member of the Beneden-Leeuwen Sports & Recreation Foundation, affiliated with MFA De Rosmolen. Here, he contributes to the preservation of community 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 on the Klompenpaden of the Gelderland Landscape Management Foundation.
With his strong sense of responsibility, dedication, and broad commitment, he has been an indispensable force in the community for over 45 years

Gaby Lamers (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Since 2002, Gaby Lamers has been the indispensable linchpin of Judo Association Tora. As competition secretary and initiator of, among other things, G-judo for children with disabilities, he has truly put the association on the map. Additionally, he is active with Actief Maas en Waal and provides judo lessons at schools. From 2003 to 2023, he was chairman of the trade association MODINT, where he dedicated himself with great commitment to the Dutch textile industry for two decades. As the longest-serving board member, he was a substantively strong and unifying voice in the sector.
Also as chairman of the Sport and Recreation Foundation (since 2014), a volunteer at the Rivierenland Food Bank, host at Community Center D'n Dulper, and as a long-time involved politician within CDA West Maas en Waal, Gaby Lamers has left an impressive legacy of social engagement. A man with vision, decisiveness, and a big heart for his community.

Lies van Gelder (Beneden-Leeuwen)

Lies van Gelder has been volunteering at the St. Elisabeth location of Zorggroep Maas en Waal since 1991. She accompanies residents to church services and was involved in the pastoral care ministry for many years. In addition, she has been volunteering with the 50+ Senior Citizens’ Association 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 family caregiver. For more than 50 years, she cared for her brother on a daily basis, demonstrating her undeniable compassion and dedication. In addition, she is involved in local events such as the 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 sing-alongs at St. Elisabeth. In addition, he served as a caregiver for his brother-in-law from 2010 to 2023.
He has also been demonstrating his craftsmanship for years at Museum Tweestromenland as a carpenter and coordinator of the construction crew. And since 2017, he has been active as a caretaker and technical staff member at the Seniors’ Association in Beneden-Leeuwen, where he also leads activities such as “Dancing with a Smile.” In addition, he has been involved for many years in local events such as the cycling race, Wiellawaai, and the Bourgondisch Fruitwandelen, and he served as treasurer for the First Aid Association.