Ribbon Race 2025

E.W.H. (Elly) Verstappen-Cranen, Heythuysen

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

She is one of the residents who actively works (literally) on a daily basis for various organizations and is a familiar face in Heythuysen.

Her main earning is visiting the elderly and that is right up her alley. She is a welcome guest to our residents who need a chat and companionship. Pouring a cup of coffee, going for a walk and running an errand is never too much for her. She faithfully participates in activities such as playdates and meetings.
In addition, Elly Verstappen is indispensable for the parish of H. Nicolaas in Heythuysen. On two fixed days a week she opens and closes the St. Antonius chapel. She has never been absent for more than 10 years.
The "green heart" also touches her. For example, she provides information to tourists and those interested in visiting the Leudal nature reserve.
 

H.J.G. (Harrie) Heijkers, Ell

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

Mr. Heijkers lives in Ell. For many years, formerly also in addition to running his own business until 2004, he has devoted himself to the parish and the parish community in Ell. Mr. Heijkers is not just another volunteer: he is the face of the parish. He plays a connecting role between the residents of Ell and the spiritual dignitaries. Where necessary, he voluntarily arranges everything to ensure that parish duties run smoothly. In addition, he has been a member of the hand archery club in Ell for over 60 years. Because he had his own business to run, he did not aspire to a board position, but devoted himself very loyally as a volunteer until an advanced age, so that he even helped collect the old paper until he was 80 years old. And even there he still jumps in as a substitute.
 

M.A.M. (Mia) Hermans-Geelen, Ell

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

She is a resident who dedicates herself to various organizations in and around Ell. Organizing activities for young and old is right up her alley. Throughout the year she organizes all kinds of activities for the neighborhood ranging from Easter, the placing of the maypole to the preparation of a pub quiz. Visiting the elderly, making contacts between all kinds of people is right up her alley. She is treasurer of several associations. A jack-of-all-trades, coordinating, thinking along with any activity. Every year she opens her garden for several of these activities. Even the litter in Ell does not escape her attention. Mia has recently retired, but given the busy times at her former employer, she's even working there 2 days a week again. The word "sitting still" is not in her vocabulary.
 

H.J.J. (Hub) Snijkers, Ittervoort

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

All the many years he has been a volunteer in the sports field and an association man at heart. Ask Hub and he is there for you. Gratefully various associations make use of his qualities. At many activities in Ittervoort, Hub is simply indispensable and ensures that activities are continued. Partly because of his enthusiasm and perseverance, Mr. Snijkers is also a welcome face among the Ittervoort seniors. His precision and meticulousness ensure 

M.A.H.W. (Marianne) Laarakkers-Koenigs, Horn

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

Since 1992, she has been very actively involved in various events related to arts and culture. 'Tireless and indispensable' are the words she is associated with as a volunteer and as a person. In addition, she has a big heart for the city of Roermond and she conveys this passion with great enthusiasm to anyone who wants to hear it. Whether you live on the east or west side of the Meuse: Marianne has all the expertise in the field of tourism in our province. As a link to various art and cultural activities, she is the person who keeps her finger on the pulse to see if everything is working well.
 

L.J. (Lei) Derikx, Neer

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

Lei is a real people person and is always ready to help out with community life in Neer. He's been active in lots of ways within the Vastelaovesvereiniging (Carnival Association), as a board member, but also as the driving force behind the Metzingmiddag (afternoon get-together) and fruit bowl campaign for people in care and nursing homes. The Neerse carnival can always count on him.
Mr. Derikx has a musical heart and a heart for shooting. As a board member and member of various committees, he contributes to the shooting club and the singing association. At the village festivals and union celebrations, he lends a helping hand and provides cheerful banter. Mr. Derikx never says 'no', is a very committed member, and is always Neer for the associations in Neer .
 

M.P.G. (Mieke) Bruls-Claassens, Baexem

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

At an early age, Mieke Bruls-Claessens began volunteering; first as a cub leader and with Meisjes Beweging Limburg. Later, as a helping mother, she could often be found at the preschool, school library and manual labor classes. Mieke is a volunteer at heart; she was a familiar face at several rehabilitation units. Besides being the caregiver for her husband, for many years she has contributed in a noteworthy way, with her efforts as secretary and treasurer, to promoting the interests of kidney patients in the Roermond region. Mieke faithfully devotes herself to organizing regional meetings where kidney patients can share experiences with each other. In addition, Mrs. Bruls plays a major role in maintaining intensive contact and applying for subsidies. She is a very important liaison between various associations and the dialysis department of the Laurentius Hospital.
That Mieke, as a charity collector, is a familiar face was evident when she was addressed with the funny statement "Mer maedje hubs du dienen oetzet noe neet bieeen?". Freely translated "But girl, don't you have your trousseau together yet?".
 

J.P.C. (Jos) Rijks, Heythuysen

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

Mr. Rijks has been a member of Schutterij Sint Nicolaas for over 45 years. His dedication, commitment and knowledge is of great value to this association.
In 2023 he was under the rifle for the 40th time at the Oud Limburgs Schuttersfeest, he is a very gifted archer, someone who dedicates himself as an archer in the first six of marksman St. Nicholas. He can also call himself union champion 2024.
As can be read in the proposal, Mr. Rijks is praised for his numerous merits, such as
his role as a driving force in the realization and operation of the clubhouse, his many years of service as ball maker and voluntary bar worker. But also his commitment to numerous activities and events organized by the archery, and his participation in various committees over the years adorn Mr. Rijks.
In addition, he makes a strong case for organizing actions for the archery in order to boost the cash. In summary, it can be concluded that Mr. Rijks is a member of the association with a big archery heart. His years of dedication and involvement for the association as well as for the society in Heythuysen is highly appreciated.

M.L.A.P. (Marie-Louise) Leijnse-Schreurs, Buggenum

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

She has been providing the musical sounds in our Limburg country for many years. Conducting various choirs is no stranger to her. Children's choir or profane choir: Marie-Louise conducts it or has conducted it. In her younger years, she conducted the children's choir pro bono, so the children did not have to pay dues. Apart from being a conductor and organist, she likes to take care of the incidental aspects of performing the musical qualities of her choirs such as the celebrations in the church, organizing the rehearsals and accompanying the communicants. If the organist in another church village is absent, she is the person who makes sure that musical sounds emerge from the organ. In addition to her love of music, she chairs the Senior Citizens Association in her hometown of Buggenum.
 

L.F.L.M. (Léon) Op de Coul, Horn

Member in the Order of Orange Nassau

Mr. Op de Coul has volunteered for more than 30 years for various associations and foundations with a social, sporting and connecting task. He is co-founder of Triathlon association Roermond. From the start in 1987 he has been associated with the Triathlon Association and has been active as a board member for a long time. Léon is also connected to the Roermond City Swim, under his inspiring leadership this event has grown into a leading event with even a German cooperation. Partly due to his efforts, the Roermond City Swim has already donated a lot of money to local and German charities. Due to scheduling an unfortunate date chosen this year, Saturday, August 31, 2024, the City Run and City Swim will not take place. Next year, however, it will be back on the agenda and then in September. In addition to these sporting events, Mr. Op de Coul is also a member of the First Remunjse Echte Kaerelsklup. Here he is the active force in devising various activities such as the fire run on May 5 and playful actions during King's Day to raise money for charities. He also made a very deserving organizational effort during the creation of the OLS in Maasniel in 2015.