"Pearl of Voorschoten" Award for Fia Oudshoorn and Cees Westhoek

On Saturday, July 2, Mayor Nadine Stemerdink presented a “Pearl of Voorschoten” award to both Ms. Fia Oudshoorn and Mr. Cees Westhoek. The award ceremony took place at the “De Boschbloem” community center, where both have been active as volunteers for many years. 

Mayor Stemerdink with Fia Oudshoorn and Cees Westhoek
Mayor Stemerdink with Fia Oudshoorn and Cees Westhoek. Photo: Ria Alleman

Fia Oudshoorn

Ms. Oudshoorn has been a volunteer at the “De Boschbloem” community center since 1980. Over the years, she has served as a board member, managed the membership records, and organized children’s activities. She also took great pleasure in putting together a newsletter, which the members themselves distributed.

In addition, Ms. Oudshoorn has been involved in the klaverjas and bridge activities. For over 24 years, she led the Monday evening bridge games and taught bridge lessons. She currently organizes the Tuesday afternoon bridge games with great success. She also actively contributes ideas about the future of the community center and can always be found there.

At the Voorschoten Seniors' Association, Ms. Oudshoorn serves coffee every week and distributes the VOV newsletter to the members every month.

Ms. Oudshoorn works very modestly behind the scenes; she is available day and night, takes the initiative, works independently, and is very creative.

Cees Westhoek

Mr. Westhoek has been active at the “De Boschbloem” community center for 27 years. He teaches drawing and painting classes there. Three times a week, he is on hand to offer the students advice and assistance. The students are very loyal and enjoy the classes, which they find to be very positive and educational. Mr. Westhoek knows how to create a very friendly atmosphere and is highly regarded by the students. Many have been taking his classes for more than twenty years. Every year, the classes conclude with a beautiful exhibition of the works created by the students.

In addition, Mr. Westhoek is always willing to contribute ideas and lend a hand whenever he can. For example, he helped create the beautiful “Boschbloemboom,” a wooden memorial tree that lists all the activities that take place and have taken place at the Boschbloem.

For the Facebook page “You’re a Voorschoten Resident If…,” Mr. Westhoek takes beautiful photos of various places in Voorschoten.

Mr. Westhoek is a modest man with a great sense of humor and the ability to put things into perspective, though he can be very serious at times.