Ribbon ceremony 2023 - Mr. Mertens and Mrs. Mertens - Gijzen

Presentation of Royal Decoration Member in the Order of Orange Nassau to Mr. W.J. Mertens and Mrs. H.H. Mertens - Gijzen by Mayor Petra Dassen

Mr. W.J. Mertens

Member Church Council, church master Parish St. Martinus Spekholzerheide (11-1979 to 03-1988)
As Church Warden, in the position of Treasurer, Mr. Mertens made a positive contribution to the administration of the Parish of St. Martinus Spekholzerheide by keeping the finances in order in an adequate and accurate manner, for which the Church Council and the Bishop are very grateful to Mr. Mertens.

Board member chant choir st. Rochus (1988 to 2017)
In 1988, Mr. Mertens joined the board of the choir. First in the role of secretary and from 2003 as chairman. This with all the administrative duties that go with a secretary and chairman. Even after stepping down as a board member in 2017, he has remained a highly valued member.

Volunteer Local Zonnebloem Department.
-Kerkrade-Landgraaf (28-02-2008 to 22-02-2017)
-Kerkrade Noord Oost (04-04-2014 to 26-09-2020)
-Kerkrade-West-Spekholzerheide (13-03-2006 to present)

Mr. Mertens has held many positions with these departments. From general volunteer to contact person raffle, the online department administrator and volunteer vacation pool. Activities associated with the role of general volunteer include handing out gifts, visiting guests and organizing and supporting parties and activities.

Treasurer The Zonnebloem
-Region Kerkrade (28-02-2008 to 09-02-2017)
-Department Kerkrade Center (04-09-2008 to 18-01-2009)
-Department Kerkrade North-East (15-02-2013 until 15-07-2019)
-Department Kerkrade Centrum (19-06-2014 to 17-02-2015)
-Department Kerkrade West Spekholzerheide (06-02-2017 to present)

Mr. Mertens participated in a national working group of the Sunflower. He spearheaded the development and promotion of the Sun Book, which was put into national use years ago. He was also helpful in several departments with computer problems or in running the online department administration. Work as treasurer further included regular departmental administration and handling in accordance with preconceived budget plans

From 2008, Mr. Mertens served as Kerkrade's treasurer until Kerkrade merged with Landgraaf in 2017. In this merger process, he played an important role. He took board membership very seriously, where his commitment was not limited to treasurer. He also took charge of organizing workshops, musical performances and the "Eurode Wheelchair Walking Day.

As a financial expert, he provided advice when the future needed to be considered within the department, within the region and even provincially. Work within the role of treasurer included regular departmental administration, handling in accordance with predetermined budget plans.

Still fulfilling his duties as treasurer with great punctuality, Mr. Mertens also functions as a historical enquirer of developments within the association. Together with his partner, they are always willing to go the extra mile to serve the future of the department as well as possible. They are a central point within the department.

Volunteer vacation pool The Zonnebloem Kerkrade - Landgraaf (1-12-2018 to present)
Work during the annual sailing week or lodge week involves accompanying guests, supporting with daily matters during the vacation.

Húbertina Henriette Mertens-Gijzen

Volunteer Local Zonnebloem Department Kerkrade-West-Spekholzerheide (1979 to present).
Mrs. Mertens fulfills a central role within the department. As coordinator of activities she still takes care of the necessary presents, which are handed out to the guests/participants within Kerkrade-West. She makes weekly visits to people with a physical disability to give them the feeling that they can still be involved in the fun aspects of life. Her home (this also applies to her husband, of course) is usually the central place, where fellow volunteers pick up the gifts, where questions are asked, where concerns are expressed.
Within the community, she and her husband form a warm focal point.

Treasurer Local Zonnebloem Branch Kerkrade-West-Spekholzerheide (1993 to 2017).
In addition to the Health that Mrs. Mertens provides to her guests, she has also held a board position.

Department volunteer Local Zonnebloem Department Kerkrade-Landgraaf (2018 to present)
As a ward volunteer, Mrs. Mertens visits a Zonnebloem guest for a chat or a cup of coffee. Or to do something fun together such as go for a walk, visit a terrace or go shopping. She also helps with the organization of the department's activities.