National Volunteer Day: Volunteer Center Amsterdam shines a spotlight on volunteers with a thank-you lunch

Over fifty volunteers from various organizations active in the Centrum district were guests today in the Getir cafeteria, where they were treated to a delicious lunch. Centrum district administrator Lotte Terwel thanked them for their efforts: volunteers light up the city!

Volunteers – sometimes unnoticed and unseen – have a huge impact on our society. Together, they ensure that the residents of Amsterdam receive help, provide companionship for those who are lonely, pass on their knowledge, and develop sustainability in neighborhoods. And much more! That’s why the Volunteer Center Amsterdam organizes a thank-you event every year.

The volunteers came from many organizations in the Centrum district: from St Heen en Weer, Union of Volunteers, Amsterdam Museum, SOOP, Dock, Cordaan, St Curinesa, Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Artis, WOON foundation, Pianola Museum, Muziekgebouw aan het IJ, Amsterdam Neighbors Contact, De Witte Boei, Gilde Amsterdam, Huis van de Tijd, St Marline Fritzius, Droomwevers, De Amsterdamse Zondagsschilders, Neighborhood Team Amsterdam Centrum, Prisma, Alzheimer Meeting Point, Huis de Pinto, Scheepvaartmuseum, De Boomsspijker, Homestart Humanitas.

Volunteers are very important for the city of Amsterdam. That’s why it is very valuable for me to have conversations with the volunteers during this lunch and hear about their experiences. This way we can learn a lot from each other.

Lotte Terwel, Centrum District Administrator

In the search for a suitable and affordable space for this lunch, VCA, through Usespace, found Getir, which has a beautiful office on Keizersgracht.

Volunteers are an important part of the social structure in the city, and they help the people who really need it. It is an honor to have them as our guests.

Alexander Streefkerk, General Manager Getir

The pressure on available space in Amsterdam is increasing, especially for social organizations. That’s why Usespace tries to optimize the use of existing buildings. An unused cafeteria for lunch, a meeting center for coaching, or an atrium for orchestra rehearsals on weekends.

All volunteers went home with a Warm Handje (a hand-shaped hot water bottle), a pack of Eberhardjes, and a Getir hat. They felt pampered today and enjoyed themselves!

Special thanks to theKolenkit Koksfor the delicious lunch,Accu Foundationfor the musical coziness,Warm Handjefor the beautiful gifts,St. Eberhardjesfor the cookie packages, Getir for the location,Usespacefor the connection to Getir, and last but not least Lotte Terwel and Nienke Meijaard from city district Centrum for their kind words, help, and attention.Photographer: Huub Zeeman