2023 Royal Honors: Three Residents of Voorschoten Receive Royal Honors

On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, Mayor Nadine Stemerdink presented royal honors to three residents of Voorschoten. The ceremony took place in the council chamber of the Voorschoten town hall.

In keeping with tradition, on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s birthday, the mayor presents royal honors during the “awards ceremony” to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to society.

Marli van Lon: Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau

Ms. Van Lon has been active as a volunteer for over 20 years. Starting in 2001, she volunteered at De Zonnebloem for eight years. As a caregiver, she was closely involved in organizing activities, where she personally assisted guests in various ways. Since 2001, Ms. Van Lon has also been a volunteer at Philadelphia Zorg. She accompanies clients on various outings, including the annual summer vacation for residents, and takes clients to doctor and dentist appointments every week.

In addition, Ms. Van Lon is involved with the Ooievaarsrun in The Hague, a truck tour in which people with intellectual disabilities ride along. Furthermore, Ms. Van Lon has been an informal caregiver for many years, providing not only daily care but also assistance with various administrative tasks.

Ms. Van Lon is being honored as a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau for her contributions in the field of health care and social welfare.

Adrie van Schutterhoef: Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau

More than 30 years ago, Mrs. Van Schutterhoef began volunteering for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Leiden. Together with two others, she took on the role of hall deacon. In addition, for many years she recorded the church services, opened and closed the church every Saturday morning, drew up the schedules for the Bible study group leaders, and for several years provided various forms of assistance to the church’s Scouting group.

In 1991, Ms. Van Schutterhoef became a volunteer at the Vlietland College school library. She covered new books, repaired damaged books, and took various courses, including a bookbinding course. In addition, Ms. Van Schutterhoef frequently performed with the staff choir. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Ms. Van Schutterhoef was often present at the study center to help students who needed assistance.

Ms. Van Schutterhoef is being honored as a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau for her contributions to secondary education and religious life.

Lia van Velzen: Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau

Ms. Van Velzen began volunteering at De Zonnebloem in 1975 as a board member and secretary. For fifteen years, she performed secretarial duties, took minutes at meetings, and served coffee at nursing homes. She also visited elderly people living alone in Voorschoten, joined De Zonnebloem’s annual boat trip, and helped organize various gatherings.

In 2007, Ms. Van Velzen became a member of the Vlietstreek Art Society. She led the “trash can decoration” project, in which trash cans in the Haagse Bos and in the parks of Voorschoten were decorated by elementary school students from The Hague and Voorschoten. She also seeks out venues for the Art Society’s exhibitions. From 2014 to 2017, Ms. Van Velzen volunteered at the Trombose Foundation. Since 2018, she has been volunteering at the Odense Huiskamer.

Every week, Ms. Van Velzen leads the painting and drawing afternoon for people with early-stage dementia or acquired brain injury. In addition, she purchases the materials, organizes the rotating exhibitions at the Vliethuis, helps with children’s activities during school breaks, and organizes sales exhibitions of the artwork created by participants in the weekly painting and drawing sessions. In addition to her volunteer work, Ms. Van Velzen is also a family caregiver.

Ms. Van Velzen is being honored as a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau for her contributions in the fields of art, healthcare, and social welfare.