Involved associations, priceless care, a greener Overijssel and more social connection: volunteers make it possible. That is why this year one hundred volunteers who dedicate themselves in all kinds of ways to people and their environment will receive the Overijssel Volunteer Award (OVP). In the municipality of Borne, residents were able to submit volunteers, organizations or initiatives that they felt deserved the title “The volunteer of the municipality Borne”.
Four volunteers (initiatives) were presented with the Overijssel Volunteer Award (OVP) on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Alderman Michael Geerdink and state member Joyce Vorgers of the province of Overijssel presented the awards to the initiative Fietsmaatjes Borne and volunteers Geerlof Kanis and Jacobus Smid. Like last year, a “green” volunteer award was presented in each municipality. This was presented to Ria Klein Koerkamp in Borne.
Fietsmaatjes Borne
Fietsmaatjes Borne is intended for people who enjoy cycling but are no longer able or willing to do so on their own. These may be (lonely) elderly people and people with a disability or temporary injury. The bicycle volunteers make bicycle trips with them on a duo bike. Fietsmaatjes is a national initiative. Fietsmaatjes Borne is its first local branch in Overijssel. Fietsmaatjes Borne wants everyone to be able to participate in society. Currently 75 residents within the municipality of Borne make use of this and are valuable to these people. There are now 90 volunteers involved in Fietsmaatjes Borne and the third duo bike has been ordered.
Geerlof Kanis
Geerlof is a person who has meant a lot to the Jeu de Boules Association Borne. Among other things, Geerlof was a volunteer responsible for the maintenance of the bocce courts. He felt very involved with the club and made sure that a canopy was built so that the participants could stand dry during the jeu de boules games when it was raining. To thank Geerlof for his efforts, the bocce association named bocce courts after him. Geerlof has decided to stop working. Reason to put him in the limelight to thank him for his efforts for the club. Geerlof was given up by Jurgen Schiphorst of Borne Sport because he “did an incredibly good job.
Jacobus Smid
Jacobus is a volunteer who actively works for the Neighborhood Bus and the bus for the Ukrainians. Jacobus has taken it upon himself, among other things, to recruit drivers for the shuttle bus that takes Ukrainians from Azelo to Borne and back. In total, Jacobus and his colleagues have already made this ride 22,000 times. In addition, Jacobus often helps out when another driver breaks down. “Ooh, then I can wa,” his colleagues often hear him say when they ask if he is available. Jacobus provides connection within the group of drivers and is partly responsible for the Christmas package.
Ria Klein Koerkamp
A green volunteer award is also presented in each municipality. This is especially for volunteers who dedicate themselves to a greener Overijssel.
Ria is a volunteer at the Zwanenhof. Ria takes great pleasure in tending her vegetable and herb garden which is part of the Zwanenhof’s large garden. Ria has been doing this for a very long time, in good and not so good times of the Zwanenhof, Ria is and was always there. Ria has so much passion for nature in the broadest sense of the word, as well as enormous passion for the Zwanenhof. Because of her years of experience, she has an enormous amount of knowledge and knows very well how to take care of all the greenery. She also knows how to share her knowledge with her colleagues in a beautiful way. Thanks to Ria, the garden, the greenery, around the Zwanenhof also remained beautiful when the Zwanenhof was not in operation for a while in the period 2019-2021.
Inestimable value
Volunteers are invaluable for a pleasant living environment in which everyone can participate. The pressure on volunteers is increasing. Organizations expect existing volunteers to quit more and more often due to lack of time, old age and changing family situations, while new intake is stagnating. This requires customization and transition within volunteer work to a more flexible, professionalized and diverse practice. That is why Overijssel province, together with professionals and organizations, is actively committed to supporting and stimulating volunteering in Overijssel.