She is only 13 years old, but Joyce Hollander from Klazienaveen is organizing the Summerparty in her village for the second year in a row today. And she does that to prevent loneliness. “I think people who are lonely deserve to have friends.”
Last year Joyce organized the Summerparty for the first time and that was a great success. “Almost 200 people came to that. And this year we actually expect much more, because there are also DJs and singers.”
Joyce was inspired to organize the Summerparty after she walked with her mother for a day in the nursing home where she works. “I saw that people eat a lot alone. And those people also deserve to have other people around them.”
There is quite a bit involved in organizing such a big event. “I started organizing about a year ago. My mother, grandfather and grandmother help me with that. We also had to make agreements with the municipality about the party.”
The Summerparty is at the FC Klazienaveen sports park. In addition to the musical guests, Joyce has arranged all kinds of activities for young and old. “There are inflatables, a storm track and water games. But also a raffle and bingo. It is a party for young and old, because some young people can also feel lonely. But on Sunday everyone is welcome.”
Joyce hopes, and secretly also expects the Summerparty to be an even greater success than last year. And even after today she doesn’t stop. “I think it will be a keeper.”