Number one

We had opened the door a little bit for Sunday 21 November: the “World of Taste”. But unfortunately it was irresponsible to continue. The number of Covid infections rose. We found 8 people willing to make delicious dishes and unfortunately we had to cancel all of those people. It might have been possible in theory, but can you imagine:
* show QR code on arrival, put on a face mask and disinfect hands.
* sitting at the table with enough distance
* if you want to get something, you have to put the face masks back on
* keep disinfecting your hands.

Besides the fact that it's irresponsible, I don't think we could count on many visitors.
However, we were able to hold a special celebration in the Werenfriduskerk on Saturday 20 November. Pastor Sjaak de Boer, 35 years priest and Auxili-ja!, 35 years young.
Who would have thought on October 26, 1986, when Mayor Meijer started a conversation with Miss Nieuweboer in front of the church, that we are still active today, 35 years later.

I could go on and on about what we've done, but we prefer to look to the future, how uncertain it may be at the moment. We still have plenty of plans and ideas.
One thing bout the past: from 2010 till now, thanks to your help, your support, we have been able to support more than 50 projects for an amount of just under 100,000 euros. And we are quite proud of that.
As I said before: we have plenty of plans and ideas.
*We remain committed to organizing a “World of Taste” every 2 years.
*We remain committed to placing an Ice Block in the garden of the rectory once every 5 years.
* Next year we will try to set up a cycling and walking event in the weekend of June 10, 11 and 12: the climb of La Grand Ballon.
*And, as soon as we've arranged everything, there wille be "Friends of Auxili-ja!".

You will hear all about this.
Manon, Marco, Hans, Martijn, Peter, Sjaak, Piet and myself have been "the heart" of Auxili-ja for quite a few years! and I hope, no, I'm pretty sure we'll keep doing that for a while.
During an evaluation we once asked each other why “are you a member of this club”.
Martijn has articulated this more than well. “What I secretly always thought was confirmed last night: we are a unique, close-knit and colorful collection of people with enthusiasm and involvement who find it important to mean something to the people around us in some way.

AMEN