Royal honor for Marijke Hornstra from Luxwoude

The 71-year-old honoree has been a volunteer in her village for many years. "There's nothing that can be organized in Luxwoude without you being involved in some way. And when we talk about committed people who selflessly put themselves aside to make the lives of others more pleasant or voluntarily give their time to associations, social organizations, or any other parties in the immediate vicinity, we cannot ignore you," says Bouwman. The coffee morning forwomen from the village—and now the surrounding area—is one of Ms. Hornstra's many initiatives. 

Ms. Hornstra started volunteering at De Hoekstien primary school in 1995, where she served on the participation and parent councils. She then became a volunteer at Dorpshuis 't Trefpunt community center, where she is still active today. For many years, she also organized the eatery, which brought young and old together. "As a former employee of the Talant care institution, Health others is in your DNA."

She pays particular attention to people with disabilities. In 2001, Ms. Hornstra came up with the idea for SportSupport. Set up as a small-scale day care center for people with disabilities in Heerenveen, it quickly grew under her leadership into a versatile and meaningful program. 

Since 2012, she has taken on a large number of additional tasks, precisely at a time when her personal life was not easy. Ms. Hornstra is closely involved with the village newspaper and the village archives, volunteers at the clothing exchange, and is the initiator, creator, and manager of the Gnome Trail. She also came up with the idea for the planters on the little bridge on the Weech. 

Mayor Bouwman: "You are an inspiration to others with your great commitment to the Opsterland community and your unwavering dedication to family, loved ones, fellow villagers, and people with disabilities." 

For the honoree, her volunteer work is nothing special. "You just do what comes your way."