On Friday, April 25, 2025 Mayor Suzanne Otters - Bruijnen presented 8 residents of Son en Breugel with a Royal Decoration. These fellow villagers all have an impressive volunteer record.

On Friday morning, the mayor surprised these 8 residents with a lightning visit and the announcement of the appointment. She also invited them to a meeting at the Dommel House. 

During the meeting at the Dommel House, the mayor personally honored these fellow villagers and formally awarded the ribbons.

Royal decoration for Mr. A.F. Vink
Appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Mr. Albert Vink (72) has been an active volunteer in local politics, church and cooperative associations for nearly 25 years.

Politics

Albert Vink has been a member of the CDA since 1990 and a board member and secretary since 2000. He is contact person for the national party, does membership administration and participates in all kinds of regional CDA meetings on behalf of the local CDA. He was a member of the support group and as of 2018 he is a citizen council member. From 2008 to 2010, he was a city council member.

Cooperatives

From 2005 to 2013, Mr. Vink was a board member of the Brameco-Zon Mixed Feed Cooperative 2005- 2013. His work consisted of preparing for and participating in meetings. He had an eye for the greater good of the cooperative and contributed to guiding a merger process. After the merger, he was a Member of the Member Council of the Organization Cooperative AB Werkt Zuid-Nederland from 2013 to 2019.

Church

From 2003 to the present Albert Vink participates on behalf of the Protestant Church in the Interchurch Diaconal Consultation (IDO), a partnership between the RC parishes and the Protestant Church (PKN). Also after the merger of the Protestant Church Son en Breugel with the Johannesgemeente in Eindhoven, Mr. Vink continued to fulfill this role.
In the period from 2015 to 2022, at the Protestant Church in Son en Breugel, as scribe, he is responsible for, among other things, the working process of the Church Council, consultation within and outside the
Church Council, co-managing the merger process, participating in consultative bodies and working groups.
After the merger in 2022, this function ceased and he becomes a member of the Diaconal Council. To this day he participates in various consultative bodies and working groups.
As of 2023, he is active as a volunteer with Stichting Diaconaal Inloophuis 't Hemeltje in Eindhoven. He is a member of the general board on behalf of the church and volunteers 1 day a week. He serves the guests, has a chat with them and does all kinds of support work.

Royal decoration for Mr. C.J.J. Sanders
Appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Mr. Kees Sanders (68 years old) has continuously devoted himself to various carnival associations in Son en Breugel since 1987. He has also been active in the local cycling club for over 10 years.

Carnival

Mr. Sanders co-founded carnival association De Kantelaars in 1987. He was a board member from 1987 to 2000, including 9 years as chairman. From 1987 to 2004 he co-organized the annual hexathlon of CV De Kantelaars. From 1987 to 2006 he is head of the building committee for the carnival float of De Kantelaars. As head, he is active as a builder, initiator and inspiration. In 2001 he was King Kantel of the Kantelaars.

From 2003 through 2024, Kees Sanders has been a member of the Sitting Evenings Committee. He contributed significantly to the successful implementation of numerous session nights. He is still co-builder of the stage and furnishing of the tent.
From 2003 he is continuously active in the Pageant Committee. He plays a crucial role in the organization and execution of this annual event.
From 11-11-2008 until the 11-11 ball in 2019, Mr. Sanders was a board member of CV De Krutjesrapers. During this period, he contributed to the strategic and operational management of this association.
Since 2010, Kees Sanders has also been involved in the Decor and Awards Committee of De Krutjesrapers. This committee ensures that each year special achievements and contributions within the association are appropriately recognized.

WTC The Swan

Since 2003, Mr. Sanders has been a member of Wielertoerclub De Zwaan. From March through October, the tour club organizes a weekly tour for tour cyclists from Son en Breugel and the surrounding area.
From 2014, as a general board member, he is responsible for organizing and coordinating the weekly tour tours and organizing activities and events.

Royal decoration for Ms. M.J. Brunnen
Appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Melanie Brunnen (59 years old) has been active in many organizations, foundations and associations in and outside Son en Breugel from 2005 to the present.

Children

She started volunteering in preschool in 2005. Until 2010, she supervised a toddler group on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings. In addition, she regularly filled in at other times and helped with various activities, such as the annual toy fair.
From 2006 to 2011, she also volunteered at the toddler gym. Together with others, she provided a weekly hour of toddler gym for 2 groups.
From 2006 to 2016, she was also an active volunteer at the between-school program at De Harlekijn elementary school.
In 2011, Melanie Brunnen started as a leader with the Beavers (children ages 5 to 7) at Scouting Dutmella. She was very actively involved in the many activities and spent a lot of time preparing them. For example, she made programs, game materials and set pieces. She was also involved in the start of the Sanga's, a speltak for children with a (mental) disability.

Swimming Associations

From 2008 to 2016, Ms. Brunnen was an active trainer and judge of synchronized swimming at swimming club Neptunis '58 in Schijndel. She conducted many diploma sessions and judged competitions. From 2010 to 2016 she also gave training to beginning and advanced girls every Saturday afternoon.
She was also active at Zwem - en Waterpolovereniging Argo in St. Oedenrode from 2011 to 2019. Among other things, she was a coach in competitive swimming and was active as a speaker.

Other activities

Melanie Brunnen taught English to Ukrainian refugees through the Lev Group from 2022 to 2024.
In addition, from September 2023, she volunteered at Inloophuis de Eik, a center for living with and after cancer. Melanie Brunnen is the driving force behind the creation of the "Internationals" at this Center. Founded in September 2023, the 'Internationals' group focuses on non-Dutch-speaking peers.

In addition to all her volunteer work, Melanie Brummen also spent many years caring for her ailing parents in England.

Royal decoration for Mr. F.W.H. Louwers
Appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Mr. Freddy Louwers (45 years old) has been volunteering within the Son and Breugel community for many years.

Harmonie Pro Honore et Virtute

Mr. Louwers has been involved with the local brass band Pro Honore et Virtute (PHEV) for 30 years. In the early years as a musician and from 2000 also in various other functions.

From 2000 to 2007, he coordinated the PHEV courses and served as chairman of the training committee. From 2000 to 2022 he was conductor of the Samenspeelorkest, consisting of beginning musicians. From 2007 to the end of 2022, Mr. Louwers was an active member of the board of the PHEV Foundation.
He has made important contributions to the development of several orchestras that exist under the wings of the PHEV Foundation.
In his role in training and recruitment, he coordinated the deployment of music education teachers for wind and percussion players, organized exams, pre-rehearsal evenings and soloist competitions. He administered the intake and progress of the students, keeping in touch with parents and the students themselves.
From the board he was also the contact person for the three wind orchestras (wind band, training orchestra and ensemble orchestra) and was actively involved in the management and development of PHEV.

In addition, Mr. Louwers has been active in various project committees from 2007 to the present.
The Harmony regularly initiates special concerts and events. Freddie Louwers had a pioneering role in many of these activities, for example at the 100th anniversary of the harmony, "Maestro Son en Breugel" and at the Youth Proms concerts "Music in Blue". The harmony is also regularly asked by other initiators to contribute to, for example, commemorative events, liberation celebrations (Remember September) and King's concerts. Freddie Louwers is almost always the initiator of these activities and events.

Since 2004 he has also been the first substitute conductor for the Harmony's street performances and serenades, including on King's Day at the annual gathering for the decorated.
Finally, for 10 years he was an active editor of the "Virtoeterke",the club magazine of the Harmony

Our Village Kwist

Freddie Louwers has been involved in organizing Ons Dorp Kwist, a great annual village quiz, since 2014. He was a committee member and one of the question creators, of mainly the knowledge and sports questions. From 2023, he is chairman, question creator and also presenter of the village quiz new style: an annual pub quiz.

Royal decoration for Mr. H.C.G. Hulsen
Appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Mr. Henk Hulsen (68 years old) has been volunteering with various organizations and associations within the Son and Breugel community for many years.

Politics and Police

From April 2006 to March 2010, Mr. Hulsen was a member of the Son en Breugel City Council on behalf of the CDA and active as group chairman. From June 2018 to September 2023, he was again a city council member. In the intervening period, from 2010 to 2018, he was more active in the background as a member of the support group of the CDA and contributed to the various election programs, among other things.
As of 2022, Mr. Hulsen is active as a Police Volunteer Specific Deployment (intelligence specialist). He is part of a detective team of Police Volunteers, which deals with so-called cold case cases in particular.

Music

Mr. Hulsen served as president of the Harmonie Pro Honore et Virtute (PHEV) Foundation from 2010 to 2016. Under his leadership, the foundation and its affiliated orchestras continued to professionalize. He encouraged the musicians to further develop personally and musically and to dedicate themselves to the foundation. Henk Hulsen has given the harmony a visible place in the village again.
From 2017 to 2022, he is also chairman of Stichting CEMOS (Culture and Music Support Son and Breugel). The aim of this foundation is to support music education for young people with the goal of moving on to the PHEV.
From 2014 he is of Gregorian Choir Sint Petrus bands. Since 2024, he has been active as chairman. As a member, Henk Hulsen is responsible for putting together the monthly Latin chants and as chairman, he leads the activities.

Birchstaete

Mr. Hulsen has been secretary of the client council Verzorgingshuis Berkenstaete in Son en Breugel from 2008 to 2014. The main task for the client council is to see if the Health is good in practice. He has been chairman, secretary and note taker of the client council. During his period new construction was realized and the residents moved 2x. First to temporary housing and later to the new housing.

Sports clubs

From 1987 to 1992, Mr. Hulsen was active as trainer and coach of various youth teams at the soccer club SBC. From 2023 is active as a confidential advisor at this association.
From 2002 to 2006 he was a board member of Tennis Association Son en Breugel.

Royal decoration for Ms. M.A.P.J. van der Putte - Verhoeven
Appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Mrs. Marianne van der Putte-Verhoeven (75) has been volunteering in a variety of ways for more than 30 years.

Women's Association Scala

From 2005 to 2010, Ms. Van der Putte was president of the Catholic Women's Organization (KVO) Breugel. With the then board, she made all preparations to continue as an independent association. After KVO became Scala, she was president of this women's association from 2010 to 2021. Among other things, she was also contact person for the organized activities and women's associations Regionally. She prepared activities and helped organize them.

City Council and Youth City Council

From May 2019 to October 2024, she was a member of the Son en Breugel City Council. Initially on behalf of Dorpsvisie, later on behalf of FOR YOU!
From 2019 to 2022, she was supervisor of the Youth Municipal Council (JGR). She supervised working groups, attended meetings and consulted with the Municipal Clerk’s Office of the JGR.

Other activities

Ms. Van der Putte has been involved in many organizations, associations and working groups. She was/is, among others:

• from 1988 to 1998 president of the staff association and member of the works council at her employer KI Zuid Nederland;
• from 2000 to 2002 board member of the staff association at her employer Wegener Suurland;
• Member of the Member Council of Rabobank Het Groenewoud Zuid from 2008 to 2014;
• From 2009 to 2022, a member of the High Street Neighborhood Prevention/The Own. From 2015, she also served as president;
• From 2015 to 2017 a member of the working group The Doorpakkers. The goal of this working group was to enable (young) people with disabilities to participate as much as possible: living, working, sports and leisure. She was a member of the working group on work;
• In 2017 and 2018 co-founder and secretary of the "Restart Farmers' Wedding Krutjesgat" working group;
• in 2017 and 2018 member of the working group Question seeks answer,. The goal of the working group was to preserve the building of St. Peter's Church. She was founder, chairman, liaised with local residents, prepared the lawsuit with lawyers and was responsible for communication with the press;
• Active from 2018 to the present as a volunteer at Berkenstaete. She walks weekly with residents who are in wheelchairs;
• As of 2018, board member of senior citizen association PVGE. She coordinates visits to special anniversaries and co-coordinates and distributes newsletters;
• volunteers at the HOI House from 2019 to 2021. She does laundry, cleans up and assists with cooking.

Royal decoration for Mr. A.M.J.W. van de Kerkhof
Appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Mr. Albert van de Kerkhof (age 76) has long been involved in various ways to support those in need.

Zonhove

Mr. Van de Kerkhof has been employed at Zonhove, an institution for children and adults with severe multiple disabilities, for more than 50 years. Initially it was paid employment, but after his retirement, after 40 years of service in 2011, he immediately continued some of his duties as a volunteer.
He worked at the day care center as an activity supervisor until his retirement. After retirement, he continued as a volunteer. Together with other residents, he performs a variety of chores on the farm, goes to the market weekly with residents and makes a lot of time for 1-on-1 moments with residents.
Currently, due to a shortage of care staff, he is also available again on call at Zonhove. Every week Zonhove calls on him for several half-days. He performs these activities in addition to his structural efforts as a volunteer.

Bewegingscentrum Son en Breugel

Since 2012, Albert van de Kerkhof has been active as a client supervisor at the Stichting Bewegingscentrum Son en Breugel. Every week he accompanies (mostly) elderly people with movement limitations.

Personal guidance

Starting in 1984, he accompanied a resident of Son en Breugel with a very severe visual impairment for 35 years. Until his death in 2020, Albert van de Kerkhof cycled with him weekly and later, when cycling was no longer possible, walked with him.

Royal decoration for Mr. L.F.A. Brans
Appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau

Leo Brans (age 73) has been active in the world of motorsports for over 50 years. He is involved in various initiatives, events and organizations in the field of motocross and motorsports in the Netherlands. In 1973 and 1974, as an active motocross rider, he became Dutch Champion 2 times.

Motorcycle Club Son

Leo Brans has been an active and committed member of Motorclub Son (MC Son) since its inception. As a former Dutch Champion, he was an inspiration to many members and one of the magnets that made this club grow into a large successful club.
He has been involved as editor of the club magazine since the early 1980s. For many years he was the driving force of the magazine and motivator for others to contribute as well.
Mr. Brans was at the forefront of major events and competitions, including the NK Zijspannen in 1987 on the temporary circuit in Sonniuswijk. He is also one of the organizers of the club races (for youth and hobby riders) of MC Son on club circuit Gerwina. In addition, he was one of the driving forces of organizing the 50th anniversary of MC Son in 2019.

Motorsport: Passion and work

Starting in 1978, Leo Brans joined his former sponsor Twin Air B.V.. His position at this company enabled him to stay closely connected with motor sports. His involvement went and goes far beyond just the company's interests.
For example, Mr. Brans started to visit MX competitions throughout Europe out of his own motivation in order to be of service to his customers on the spot.
Leo Brans made many efforts to support events of the most diverse nature in the field of Dutch Motorsports. For decades he has been advising and assisting crossers and contributing to the organization of competitions and events.
He not only takes World Cup participants under his wing but especially athletes in much smaller branches of motorsport, which are less in the spotlight: especially Youth Cross, Trial, ladies MX and Enduro. He offers support in organizing competitions with advice and where possible with equipment. He is almost always present at such events throughout the Netherlands to assist motocross riders.
After his retirement in 2016, Leo Brans is still active at Twin Air as Race Support Manager. He visits all World Cup-level Motocross events in Europe to assist, advise and support the sponsored teams there.

Friends of the NMB

In 2016, Mr. Brans founded the association "Friends of Dutch Motorsports" with others. He is very active in organizing events. He motivates people to contribute so that events with great appeal can be
organized for a large club of enthusiasts especially of historical events in motorsports.

Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau

The supra-regional impact of Mr. Leo Brans' achievements is an important consideration in his appointment as a Knight.