At the volunteer fire brigade
Dirk is a volunteer at the Woerden fire station. These volunteers turn out if there is a fire, accident or other emergency services need assistance from the equipment of the fire brigade. All in all, there are about forty volunteers active at the Woerdense post.
“I've been here for about 27 years now. That's not even that long compared to others. A lot of volunteers start and then don't leave. And that is not only because the work is very appealing, but also because we are very pleasant and close as a team. And diverse: all ages are mixed here.”
And that is not only because the work appeals, but also because we are very pleasant and close as a team!
“Every volunteer has a pager and we are paged with it when an incident is going on. Then you go to the barracks as a volunteer. Once there, the first ones get into the correct car and set off to solve the incident. Fortunately, those aren't always miserable accidents and fires. We have also been called upon to help a few cows out of a ditch. Once that was done, those cows on the other side of the pasture ran into the next ditch! Then you will have a very nice afternoon as a team and that will of course also make you closer.
When you join the fire service as a volunteer, you undergo training before you can actually be deployed. You can then further train and specialize. For example, to be able to dive. Or to become a gas station attendant. But this, and the fact that your efforts can make the difference between a positive or negative outcome in a dangerous situation, makes volunteering here quite a responsibility. In that sense, this is of course voluntary work, but not without obligation. Something is expected of you in terms of commitment and availability. For me, it's definitely worth it!”
Danielle's story
Tinkering at the Key Club: fun! After having had the idea for a number of years, two volunteers and two children started in 2010 with the restoration of a Fiat 600 in a farm shed in the center of Kamerik. This is how the Kamerikse Key Club started. Soon the number of children, volunteers and activities grew and even a larger space had to be found. About two hundred children are now members free of charge and about 25 volunteers are active outside corona time. In addition to a workshop, the building of the Key Club has a craft workshop (can also be used as a large meeting room), a Lego corner, a cooking studio, a smaller meeting room and a wood workshop and room where the woodworking machines are housed. Dozens of children are usually repairing and tinkering here every Wednesday and Friday evening. One of the volunteers who invariably helps is Danielle. "I came here once to bring our son, helped paint a staircase and never left. The great thing about the Key Club is that we teach children to work with their hands and make something new out of something old or broken. "Children learn that you can make things yourself and see how much is possible. Crafting together, preferably with reuse of materials, is the motivation to run this club. One of the sponsors is Thys Toys from which we receive return goods. We complete these again or repair them for sale so that we can keep the membership for free, or to support other charities, such as the toy bank.” I helped paint a staircase and then never left! "Together with Wil, I have set up a crafts department within the Sleutelclub. Every Friday evening, outside of corona time, between forty and sixty children from the age of eight are welcome. With about fifteen volunteers, we are ready to support them. It is so nice to notice that the children are also enthusiastic when they make something for someone else. At Christmas, for example, they made a Christmas bell out of wood and delivered it to the elderly in Kamerik. To keep in touch during this lockdown period, the volunteers make craft packages. pick up packages on Friday evening and get to work with them at home.” Do you have two right hands and would you like to help the children of the Key Club? Would you like to volunteer at this club? Check out our website among the volunteer work, visit the website www.spannerclubkamerik.nl or contact them at secretariaat@spannerclubkamerik.nl. Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward
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