Ede honors dedicated volunteer Dicky Roelofs with Jan Hilgers Award
Dicky Roelofs, a tireless volunteer in Ede, has been awarded the Jan Hilgers Award for her decades of support to hospitals, sports clubs, and people with intellectual disabilities. Her work highlights the impact of community-driven efforts on daily life in Gelderland.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Award Recipient | Dicky Roelofs |
| Award Name | Jan Hilgers Award |
| Presented By | Mayor René Verhulst (Municipality of Ede) |
| Date | March 20, 2026 |
| Volunteer Roles | Hostess at Gelderse Vallei Hospital, key management at DOK Ede Gymnastics Club, organizer of Soos de Vuurtoren |
| Years of Service | Since 2001 (hospital), since 2012 (gymnastics club) |
| Location | Ede, Gelderland |
The municipality of Ede awards the Jan Hilgers Award to individuals who make exceptional contributions to local society, emphasizing perseverance and community impact. This recognition highlights the role of local government in celebrating civic engagement and volunteerism.
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Jan Hilgers Award presented to Dicky Roelofs
On Friday, March 20, Dicky Roelofs received the Jan Hilgers Award from the municipality of Ede. Mayor René Verhulst presented this municipal distinction during ‘Soos de Vuurtoren’, an evening of activities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Dicky is always ready to help. This began during the period when her children were in primary school, with school trips, as a reading mother, and during play days. Later, she took on more volunteer work because she wanted to contribute something to society and to others. And she still stands ready to help anyone in need. Modestly and mostly in the background, she carries out her work.
Gelderse Vallei Hospital
Since 2001, Dicky Roelofs has been a volunteer at Gelderse Vallei Hospital. In recent years, she has served as a hostess, assisting patients who are admitted for surgery.
DOK Ede Gymnastics Club
At gymnastics club DOK Ede, Dicky is responsible for key management of the gymnasiums. During competitions, she assists with tasks such as entering competition scores, writing diplomas, and other support roles. She has been doing this since 2012.
Soos de Vuurtoren
Soos de Vuurtoren is an evening of activities for people with intellectual disabilities. There is crafting, games are played, and there is time for conversation. Visitors always look forward to it. Once a month, Dicky organizes these evenings, comes up with the activities, and handles the purchasing. Preparing these evenings is one of her strengths.
Additionally, she is also a caregiver for family members and babysits her grandchildren every week.
For all her efforts at, among other places, Gelderse Vallei Hospital, DOK Ede Gymnastics Club, and Soos de Vuurtoren, Dicky Roelofs has now received the Jan Hilgers Award.
Jan Hilgers Award
The Jan Hilgers Award is a municipal distinction. The medal symbolizes pursuing dreams and never giving up. The recipient of the medal makes a valuable contribution to Ede society. It is an encouragement to become a ‘high flyer’ and a reward for perseverance and reliability.
More information about the award
On the website www.ede.nl/lintjes and inquiries via