The town of Bocholt awards volunteer cards to deserving residents

The town of Bocholt has now awarded the Bocholt Volunteer Card to a total of 46 dedicated residents. At the parish hall of St Josef's parish, eight people were also presented with the lifetime Anniversary Volunteer Card in recognition of their service spanning at least 25 years. Mayor Christian Mangen paid tribute to the volunteers' indispensable contribution to social cohesion.

Civic engagement forms the foundation for a vibrant urban life based on solidarity in Bocholt - as Mayor Christian Mangen also emphasised in his opening address.

To highlight and officially recognise this tireless commitment to the common good, the town of Bocholt once again hosted a ceremony to present the volunteer cards. As a particularly large number of the honourees are active in the parish of St Josef, parish leader Ute Gertz made the parish hall available for the ceremony and welcomed those present.

Among the 46 honourees that evening were eight people who were specially recognised for their exceptionally long-standing service. They received the golden jubilee volunteer card, which is awarded for at least 25 years of voluntary service and is valid for life. The remaining 38 participants received the standard volunteer card, which recognises an above-average time commitment of at least four hours per week.

The range of organisations represented reflected the diversity of Bocholt's community and voluntary life. Awards were presented to volunteers from the Catholic parish of St Josef, the Protestant parish, the Bocholt World Shop and the City Sports Association.

Mayor Christian Mangen, speaking on behalf of the council and the local authority, expressed his deep appreciation to those present for their outstanding voluntary commitment. Volunteers invest their time, energy and expertise to enrich the lives of their fellow citizens and to bring values such as solidarity and a spirit of helpfulness to life, said Mangen.

The Volunteer Card is intended as a token of thanks and recognition, granting holders numerous benefits at public institutions and participating partner organisations in Bocholt and throughout North Rhine-Westphalia.