On Wednesday, 5 December 2012, selected volunteers were honoured for their special commitment in the Herzfelde community centre. With this ceremonial honour, the municipality of Rüdersdorf near Berlin paid special tribute to voluntary work on the occasion of Volunteer Day (5 December).
After the official opening by the chairman of the municipal council, Mr Ronny Neumann, the deputy mayor, Ms Petra Schulz, took over the honouring of the volunteers with words of thanks after a short speech. Mr Neumann presented the certificates. Mrs Schulz and Mr Neumann both emphasised the special importance of the honorary office. The festive setting of this honour was supported by the musical programme of the Hugo Distler Music School. After the ceremony, the honourees had the opportunity to get to know each other and share their experiences.
The following volunteers were honoured in 2012:
Pia Sann, Gabriele Schmidt, Jutta Kamper, Eva Friske, Gerhard Lang, Ines Seeger, Lothar Schrape, Ursula Buggisch, Thomas Nowy, Renate Krienke and Reinhald Bujok.
Hannelore Rostalsky and Jörg Drabner (honoured in 2011) received their certificates at a ceremony this year.