Peter: A unifying force as a volunteer for twenty years
For Peter, life is all about health, people, and connection. He has lived in Rokkeveen since 1989, and anyone who knows him knows that commitment is a common thread running through his life. Whether it was his four years of service in the military as a KVV soldier, his forty-year career as a train engineer with the Dutch Railways, his passion for sports, or his volunteer work: Peter always dedicates himself wholeheartedly to others.
His volunteer work began over forty years ago at the SEV soccer club in Leidschendam, where he was responsible for the canteen’s purchasing and finances for five years. Since around 2010, he has been actively involved in serving the residents of Zoetermeer. For several years, he was part of the WAS team (neighborhood and police collaboration), and for three years he served as neighborhood coordinator in the Kleurenbuurt.
However, most people know Peter for his work with the card clubs at De Vlieger and InZet. He has been president of the card club at De Vlieger since 2016 and has held the same position at the InZet card club since 2022. Together, these activities bring dozens of neighborhood residents together every week.
Although the card game is the main focus, for Peter it’s about much more than just cards. He organizes the afternoon sessions, handles the paperwork, manages the finances, sets up the seating arrangements, keeps track of the competitions, and organizes award ceremonies. In addition, he stays in touch with the participants, sends get-well cards when someone is sick, and offers a listening ear when needed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he supported people through a difficult time.
For Peter, volunteering is above all a way to bring people together. He sees how important social interaction is for older adults who are sometimes isolated. By organizing a fun afternoon, he gives people something to look forward to and helps them feel like part of a group. He considers that social aspect just as important as the game itself.
What stands out is the tremendous dedication with which Peter carries out his volunteer work. He takes responsibility, contributes ideas, and is always looking for ways to go the extra mile for the participants. For example, he regularly organizes snacks or additional activities, such as an annual lunch for both clubs, often with the help of local business owners who contribute to these events free of charge.
In total, Peter has been volunteering to help others for about twenty years now. His message is simple but powerful: look out for one another. In his view, volunteering doesn’t always have to be a big or complicated undertaking; sometimes it starts with just a helping hand or a kind gesture.
Thanks to his years of dedication, commitment, and warm concern for others, Peter is a familiar face to many residents and a vital force in the neighborhood. He is a volunteer we can be proud of.
