It’s raining honors in Kerkrade: five royal decorations awarded

To mark King’s Day, five residents of the municipality of Kerkrade received a royal honor this Friday morning during the annual awards ceremony. Traditionally, this ceremony takes place on the Friday before King’s Day. They were all appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau in recognition of their long-standing and valuable volunteer work for the community. The recipients were honored during a festive visit by Mayor Petra Dassen-Housen, during which she personally presented the awards and expressed her appreciation. The visit was made even more festive with live music.

They were awarded a medal

Mr. L. M. G. Crombach

Mr. Crombach (62) has been a passionate and dedicated volunteer in Kerkrade for many years. From the very beginning, he was closely involved in the founding of the Credo Foundation and the Credohuis Kerkrade, where he became a driving force within the organization. He has held various roles as a volunteer, co-founder, and board member, and played a key role in developing the concept, fundraising, and the further expansion of the Credohuis. Within the Credohuis, he is deeply committed to supporting vulnerable and homeless youth, for whom he often serves as a mentor and confidant. In addition, he served as a board member for Stichting Thuis in Nederland, where he contributed to the development of the social initiative Grenzeloos Maastricht. Since 2014, he has also been active within Resound Church Parkcity and its affiliated foundation, Helpcenter, where he focuses on organizational matters and the collection of goods for the underprivileged. He is also involved in the committee overseeing the renovation of the church building. With his deep commitment and ability to bring people together, he is widely appreciated within the community.

Ms. H. A. M. Pluijmen-Drescher

Ms. Pluijmen (70) has been a dedicated and versatile volunteer in Kerkrade for over thirty years. For many years, she was active with the J.C. Arashi Nulland Judo Club, where she managed the canteen behind the scenes, organized activities, and maintained the facility. In addition, since 1995 she has been a key member of the St. Lambertus parish and the federated parishes, where she organizes First Communion and Confirmation ceremonies and guides generations of children in their preparation for First Holy Communion. She also fulfills various duties as secretary. Since 2000, she has been the driving force behind the Kinger Kommisiejoeën and is dedicated to the children’s carnival and mentoring school princes. She has also been active as a volunteer in nursing homes, education, and at the food bank, often behind the scenes but always with great dedication.

Mr. G. Valkenburg

Mr. Valkenburg (72) has been a dedicated and versatile volunteer for many years. Since 2004, he has been associated with the MosaKids Children’s Hospital at Maastricht UMC+ as a volunteer for the Bert Buis KinderTV initiative, where, in the role of “Professor Wortel,” he is a familiar and beloved figure to sick children. With his creativity and humor, he provides weekly entertainment and joy and actively involves children in the filming, allowing them to become part of the program themselves and gain a positive experience during a difficult time. In addition, he performs various tasks within the team, ranging from hosting and camera work to production and on-set supervision. Since 2019, he has also been active as a board member of the Kerkrade-West Residents’ Platform and within Buurtkamer Gracht, where he organizes weekly coffee gatherings and supports activities. He also creates promotional videos to encourage participation in neighborhood activities and serves as a trusted point of contact for residents seeking practical help, ranging from small odd jobs to assistance with digital questions. With his broad dedication and commitment, he is a valued and unifying presence in the community.

Ms. M.P. Vincken-Malensek

Ms. Vincken (72) has been a dedicated volunteer for decades. She began her volunteer work with the parents’ association at Chèvremont Elementary School, where, as a member and later as president, she organized numerous activities and helped foster a close-knit school community. She then spent many years working for the Red Cross in Bocholtz, Simpelveld, and Vaals, where her roles included serving as a member of the Youth Working Group, a Civil Defense instructor, and a first-aid responder. She dedicated herself to both young people and vulnerable populations. She also participated as a counselor in vacation weeks for the sick and people with disabilities. Later, she volunteered at the Kapelhof nursing home in Kerkrade, where she supported residents and helped create a warm and home-like atmosphere. Since 2021, she has been active at the Ursulinenhof in Kerkrade as an activities coordinator, where she organizes activities with great dedication and works to combat loneliness among the elderly.

Mr. J.C. Willems

Mr. Willems (87) has been a dedicated and versatile volunteer in Kerkrade for many decades. For years, he was active with the Charles de Foucauld Scouting group, where, as a member of the equipment committee, he was responsible for managing and maintaining supplies and provided support for activities, camps, and fundraising drives. He was also involved with the Wilhelmina Holz Flute and Drum Corps for a long time. In addition, he played the role of Sinterklaas for more than fifty years, giving generations of children an unforgettable experience. He was also a board member of the De Hoots community garden association, where he was dedicated to maintenance, managing equipment, and supporting the administration and members. Since 2008, he has been active as a volunteer with the Meander care organization at the Ursulinenhof in Kerkrade, where he assists seniors at the day care center every week and contributes to a warm and welcoming atmosphere with his humor and dedication.

The story behind the ribbons

For decades, volunteer work has served as an important unifying force in society and has contributed to a close-knit and vibrant community. Each award tells a story of dedication, commitment, and years of standing by others, often without seeking the spotlight but making a significant difference in the community. Nominations come from the community itself; anyone can nominate someone. This brings to light people who devote themselves heart and soul to helping others every day.