The Golden Neighbor Award of Drenthe has been awarded to Els de Jong-Kleipool from Echten. She was completely surprised on Saturday morning at the Roekpad play forest, where volunteers were working hard as part of Neighbors’ Day.
68-year-old Els de Jong-Kleipool is also one of the many volunteers in Echten, but a very special one. When Jeanette von der Heide saw a call for nominations for this Award on Facebook, she didn’t hesitate for a moment. “Els is always there for everyone, puts herself aside and always stays in the background. Something only has to happen for Els to be there,” Jeanette argued for the nomination.
Shopping bag full of provisions
So it wasn’t that difficult to lure Els to the play forest on Saturday morning. She brought coffee there at nine o’clock and an hour and a half later she cycled back with a shopping bag full of provisions. The moment she saw the large group gathered around the picnic table, she was completely stunned. “I have coffee with me, but not for that many people,” he said, shocked. She still unpacked her bag: a pot of coffee, a pack of cookies, cups and stirrers.
Ten minutes later she was still shaking, with a bouquet of flowers, a certificate and a poster. She can hang the latter behind the window, the text says ‘A golden neighbor lives here’. Well, that poster won’t make it to the window, because Els is too modest for that. “Isn’t this normal? I think you have to do something if you live in a village. Only you always do it together,” she emphasized. “I am now the center of attention, but we are in it together. I am retired, so I do have time and I like to be busy.” She worked for 36 years as an activity supervisor at the Weidesteyn rehabilitation center in Hoogeveen.
Well deserved
Els de Jong is active for the village hall d’Olde Karke, the Women of Now, the Huus met de Belle, the play forest and has organized walking tours. “But she is also busy as an informal caregiver for her sick husband Peter,” Jeanette von der Heide added. To Els’ surprise, her Peter was also present. “This is well deserved, she is an engine in Echten,” said Peter, who was initially also in the special app group for this party, but left for safety reasons because the award ceremony was secret.
The Golden Neighbor received gifts from several sides, but she remained stunned. “I would make coffee, then I would do something else, I thought.” She actually wanted to go shopping with her granddaughter, but that was stopped. Mayor Inge Nieuwenhuizen saw that this Award had gone well. “This is exactly what the municipality of De Wolden is so good at: looking after each other and taking care of each other.”