Thirteen residents decorated during ribbon-cutting ceremony

Mr. B.L.T. (Ben) Goede
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Ben Goede owned Ben Goede Coiffures in Mierlo from 1987 until his retirement in 2019. He trained dozens of hairdressers and many of his students eventually opened their own salons. He participated in various events where he coiffed the models (even for the Miss Netherlands pageant from 1997-2000), and in actions for charities. In 2008, he opened a second location in Volkel, which existed until 2013. In 2011, the location in Mierlo had to be demolished to make way for a new shopping center. He looked for a new location. He also sponsored many local activities.

• 1982 - 1987 Volunteer (coach and trainer) with the Baseball and Softball Club Geldrop.
• 1989 - 1998 Volunteer (park ranger) at the Mierlo Tennis Association. Also performed minor maintenance.
• 1993 - 2019 Volunteer at and board member (1995-2001) and president (2001-2005) of the carnival association De Spruwwejagers in Mierlo. He also served as monarch and spokesman. He initiated and organized the annual song festival.
• 1995 - present Member of the cooking club Smakelijk Eten in Mierlo. He prepares the meetings, does the shopping and composes the menu.
• 2009 - present Member of the carnival entertainment group WAI Amusement. He performs during the carnival, writes songs and takes care of the music installation during rehearsals and performances.
• 2014 - 2023 Board member of the Mierlo Center and Ribbon Management Foundation. He performed duties at events and chaired the Hallmark Safe Business Working Group for five years.
• 2019 - present Board member of the Magic Mierlo Foundation, an annual winter event. He made contacts with orchestras and conductors. Due to the corona crisis, the first edition had to be postponed, but was finally performed in December 2022.

Ms. H.M.J.M. (Hetty) Gruijters-van de Pas
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Hetty Gruijters engaged in/discovered the following activities:

• 1976 - 1979 Volunteer with Scouting Mierlo. She was a leader and co-organizer of the various camps.
• 1984 - 1996 Treasurer of the Gymnastics Association Uno Animo in Mierlo. She distributed the acceptgiro cards to the members. She also made sure that the trainers received a volunteer allowance. Furthermore, she was co-organizer of the competitions, the annual bike ride, the parents' afternoons and the Saint Nicholas party. She also took care of the cards for sorrow and love and organized the annual thank-you evening for the other volunteers.
• 2002 - 2022 Collection coordinator of Alzheimer's Netherlands in Geldrop-Mierlo.
• 2005 - 2023 Secretary (2015-2023) of and volunteer with vocal choir Mierlo Vocaal. She took care of the digital scores, oversaw anniversaries and maintained contact with honorary members. She was also a member of the clothing committee, managed the website, and provided a card or flowers for joys and sorrows.

Mr. A. (Bert) van der Heijden
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Bert van der Heijden, who until his retirement in 2001 worked as a partner at Eshuis Group Accountants and Tax Advisers, engaged in the following voluntary activities:

• 1972 - 1994 Founder/treasurer of the tennis club GLTV De Mast. He co-initiated the construction of artificial grass courts.
• 1976 - 2005 Acting president (1984-1985) of and volunteer with the Carnival Association De Geldropse Jagers. He was a member of the children's afternoon committee (1985-1988), a member of the petit committee (1985-1988), a member of the Council of 11 (1983-2005) and Prince Carnival (1982).
• 1993 - 2003 Treasurer of the Winter Competition Foundation (WICOM) in Geldrop, associated with tennis club GLTV de Mast. He contributed to the establishment.
• 2003 - 2018 Volunteer at De Gulbergen Golf Club. He was a marshal, guiding club members in the proper use of the golf course and adhering to the course rules. He supervised and had a corrective role.
• 2006 - 2016 Board member/treasurer of the Culbertson Bridge Association in Geldrop.
• 2010 - 2022 Treasurer of the Heart for a Heart Foundation in Geldrop. This organization provided AEDs for the community of Geldrop-Mierlo. Bert raised funds.
• 2012 - 2020 Board member/treasurer of the Bridge club BC 90 in Geldrop, which disbanded during the corona period. He took care of the bar activities.
• 2013 - 2015 Volunteer with the Buurtbus Geldrop-Mierlo. Bert was driver and later supervisor of other drivers. He drew up the timetable and made sure the buses were properly stored and maintained.
• 2019 - present Volunteer at AutoMaatje in Geldrop-Mierlo. He is a driver for people who do not have their own transportation to, for example, medical appointments or the hairdresser.

Ms. A.J. (Astrid) van den Hoogenband-Verver
Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Astrid van den Hoogenband-Verver is a former top swimmer. She grabbed the Dutch record in the 800 meters in 1969 at age thirteen. A year later, she finished sixth at the European Swimming Championships. In 1972, the Munich Olympics just passed her by. At eighteen, she quit. She gave swimming training to her son, Pieter van den Hoogenband, from the age of eight to fourteen. She also developed/developed the following activities:

PSV Swimming Sports in Eindhoven

PSV Swimming Sports offers children and adults the opportunity to (learn to) swim or participate at various levels in various competitive sports, including competitive swimming, clean jumping and synchronized swimming.

• 1986 - 2017 Astrid served as trustee, appointed trainers and was organizer of the 75th anniversary. She was named an honorary member in 2017.
• 1986 - 2000 Trainer and coach of youth swimmers. It is stated that after her training many young children went on to the PSV swimming squad and were active nationally and internationally.
• 1986 - 2000 Team captain of the nationally performing swim team.
• 1987 - 1990 Member of the swimming committee. She was responsible for communication towards the technical staff. She was also responsible for registrations, planning the competition calendar and judging swimmers.
• 1996 - 2000 Member of the swimming committee. She was responsible for communication to the technical staff. She was also responsible for registrations, planning the competition calendar and judging swimmers.

Other activities

• 1973 - 1982 Volunteer at the Maastricht Swimming & Polo Club (MZ&PC). Astrid was trainer of the youth team
• 2002 - 2012 Top sports coordinator at the Top Swimming South Netherlands Foundation (later Eiffel Swimmers NZE). She was responsible for supporting the top swimming talents. She arranged accommodation and carried Health for study support.
• 2009 - present Co-initiator of and volunteer at Anna TopSupport, part of the Anna Care Group in Eindhoven. She is connected as swimming instructor to the medical exercise program to let people with a medical indication swim as part of their rehabilitation and recovery.
• 2017 - present Volunteer at the Swim to Fight Cancer Eindhoven Foundation, a recreational event where participants raise as many donations as possible. She is an ambassador, a member of the core team and provides swim training for participants.

Mr. J.P. (Jeroen) Janssen
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Jeroen Janssen, working as policy advisor for security and public order at the municipality of Cranendonck, undertakes/discovers the following voluntary activities:

• 1994 - 2001 Member of the Youth Panel of the Municipality of Geldrop.
• 1995 - 2001 Co-organizer of the open-air festival JOEK derails. He handled permit applications, the safety plan, handled contact with various agencies and the hospitality industry, and recruited sponsors.
• 1997 - 2006 Volunteer at youth work BWI (predecessor of LEVgroep). Jeroen worked to set up youth and youth work in the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo. He took care of youth incursions to give youth a safe place to meet, put youth work on the Map with network partners and youth and helped organize activities and events. He also devoted himself to the realization of Halte 131; a living room for youth and young people in Geldrop.
• 1998 - 1999 Volunteer at the multi-day music festival Geldrop Uit. He co-organized and managed the security portfolio.
• 1998 - 2004 Volunteer at and board member/president (2001-2004) of the JOEK Foundation. He provided bar services, was a DJ and was a bouncer. He also co-organized concerts, movie nights, outings and parent nights.
• 2000 - 2018 Co-founder/Chairman (2005-2018) of the Carnival Club Superman Tribe in Geldrop. For his efforts he was appointed honorary citizen of the Lappegat in 2016.
• 2004 - 2006 Citizen councilor of the municipality of Geldrop
• 2006 - 2014 Council member of the municipality of Geldrop
• 2009 - 2015 Volunteer at and secretary of Action for Haiti. He co-organized flea markets and recruited sponsors. He also served as auctioneer at the flea market.
• 2010 - present Co-founder and secretary of the Foundation Kommus. The motto of the foundation is: Everything for a cozier Geldrop. They give this form by organizing various activities such as the three-day Kommus Castle Festival with daily up to 2,500 visitors. The commitment to Geldrop has been housed in an official foundation since 2013. Jeroen is festival coordinator and manages the security portfolio. He is also contact person and point of contact for the municipality and emergency services, among others. He also co-organizes the Woolly Winter Works, for 3 weeks in December. In addition, he has co-developed a think tank in which all hospitality industry, associations and a number of entrepreneurs from the municipality of Geldrop- Mierlo are represented. The purpose of this think tank is to establish contacts between them, stimulate cooperation between them and plan annual activities.

Mr. G.J. (Gerrit) van Loo
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Gerrit van Loo, employed until his retirement in 1998 as a buyer at De Wereld printing company in Someren, developed/developed the following activities:

Protestant Municipality of Eindhoven

• 1965 - 1969 Deacon and elder
• 1975 - 1980 Supervisor house catechesis group
• 1987 - 1990 Youth counselor at youth church

Various activities

• 1999 - 2004 Volunteer at the Diaconal Center Eindhoven (now Inloophuis 't Hemeltje). He acted as host for homeless people. He also supervised and provided social contact, made coffee and tea and did cleaning work.
• 2003 - present Volunteer at the Geldrop Castle Estate Foundation. He is an attendant and curator of the antiquities room. Previously he was a guide and performed hand-and-span services during holidays, exhibitions and special activities.
• 2009 - 2015 Volunteer at the Berkenheuvel nursing home in Geldrop of care organization Anna Ouderenzorg. He held reading sessions for elderly people with dementia.
• 2003 - present One Sunday a month service as an attendant
• 2004 - 2012 Guiding visitors on request.
• 2004 - present Curator of Antiquities Room. Together with two other volunteers, he curates exhibitions in the castle's Antiquities Room

Mr. J. (Jørgen) Maas
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Jørgen Maas, working as a CSA staff member at the St. Anna Care Group Foundation in Geldrop, undertakes/discovers the following voluntary activities:

Foundation Hobby Club Braakhuizen Noord in Geldrop-Mierlo

• 1989 - present He handles the collection of scrap paper and the annual sale of sausage bread at Christmas time.
• 1990 - present President (1997-2012)/board member and children's/youth group leader. He supervises weekly groups of children ages 6 to 14 in creative activities. He also supervises activities such as carnival, disco nights, camps and the fair.

Other

• 1988 - 2012 Member of the Sinterklaas Committee Erp. He dedicated himself as a piet.
• 1996-present Secretary-treasurer (since 1997) of and volunteer with the Sfeermaker Foundation, formerly Stichting Dorpszeskamp Mierlo. The foundation organizes a biennial event consisting of two party nights with over 4,000 visitors and a hexathlon for adults and youth, in which about 49 teams of 12 people participate. Jørgen liaises with fellow volunteers, entrepreneurs and the municipality to organize this event. In addition, he assists in building and breaking down.

Jørgen received the volunteer medal of the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo for his efforts.

Ms. F.A.M. (Ciska) Nabuurs-Steenbakkers
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Ciska Nabuurs-Steenbakkers, who until her retirement in 2016 worked as an activity supervisor at Savant care organization, engaged in the following activities:

• 1980 - 2016 Volunteer at the Alphonsus retirement home in Helmond of care organization Savant. She organized various activities, including the Christmas market, a senior holiday week, singing activities, craft and cooking afternoons, flower arranging and a clothing market. She also organized the carnival celebration in the home and collected sponsorships and contributions for the various activities.
• 2009 - 2017 Volunteer at the residential care center De Ameide in Helmond of care organization Savant. She organized garden parties, trips with a tour bus, music performances and various other activities for the residents and cooked for the group several times a year.
• 2017 - 2024 Volunteer with the civic initiative Kansrijk Mierlo-Hout in Helmond. Kansrijk is committed to addressing opportunities and problems within the neighborhood through cooperation among neighborhood residents. Ciska prepared meals for neighborhood residents and arranged purchasing. Earlier, as a member of the core team, she was co-responsible for organizing activities and financial actions.

Mr. J.P.A.C. (Hans) Rooijakkers
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Hans Rooijakkers, who until his retirement in 2015 worked as head of facilities services at IT company Centric, developed/developed the following activities:

• 1981 - 1995 Volunteer at the soccer club RKSV Braakhuizen in Geldrop. He was trainer of several youth and ladies teams and co-founded and supervised G-football. He also gave referee courses and acted as a referee himself during matches.
• 1990-present Treasurer (ca. 1998-present) of and volunteer at the Foundation Verenigingsgebouw De Borgh in Geldrop and legal predecessors. He is responsible for the lighting and sound in the building, performs maintenance work, manages the inventory, maintains contacts with suppliers and coordinates the use of volunteers. Furthermore, he organizes outings for the volunteers and arranges performances of wind orchestras which he supports as a sound engineer. Previously, he renewed the lighting and sound system in the clubhouse and created a commemorative book for the 60th anniversary.
• 2008 - 2024 Volunteer at the billiard club Over de Rooie in Geldrop. Hans was competition leader and prepared the game schedule, organized union matches and took care of maintenance and purchase of materials and digital tools.

Mr. J.H.G.M. (Sjef) Smeets
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Sjef Smeets, who until his retirement in 2004 served as director of the Smeets Consulting Firm, developed/developed the following volunteer activities:

• 2008 - 2013 Member of the Member Council of Rabobank Dommelstreek. He participated in future orientation and improving services.
• 2015 - 2020 Member of the members' council at the cooperative Zorgboogextra in Helmond. He was active for both the member council and the participation council. He was part of the selection committee of the member council, as well as directors and members of the board. He participated in additional consultations on new developments.
• 2020 - present Member of the WMO Advisory Council in Geldrop-Mierlo. He is a member of several working groups, including on inclusion and cooperation with other advisory groups within the municipality.
• 2022 - present Volunteer at the Foundation for the Preservation of War Memories in Eperheide. Sjef interviews people who experienced World War II. By now he has published over 60 stories. With these he records war experiences for the future.

Mr. S.J.G. (Sander) Waterschoot
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Sander Waterschoot (working at Dynamo as director of culture) developed/developed the following activities:

• 1988 - 2009 Guide leadership, staff of rowans at and board member (president) of Scouting Don Bosco.
• 1990 - 1998 Volunteer (bar worker, programmer, head organizing committee) at and board member of JOEK (Jongeren Onder Elkaar), an entertainment center for young people.
• 1995 - 1999 Member of the Youth Panel of the municipality of Geldrop
• 2001 - 2014 Founder and member of the carnival association CC Superman Tribe. Annually designs and builds a carnival float to compete in various parades.
• 2010 - present Chairman of local broadcaster Kommus Radio. Furthermore (in addition to radio broadcasts) is organized annually including the multi-day Kommus castle festival, an outdoor music festival with cover bands. There is also an annual action around the Wooly Winter Weeks in Geldrop, where money is raised for a good cause, there was a Kommus Village Quiz with 100 participating teams in Geldrop and Bevrijdingssfeer was organized: a music festival in 2019.