Canada – On January 6, long-time World Renew volunteers, Jack and Elly Dalmaijer, were surprised at church with a presentation of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.
The medals are two of 60,000 created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the sixtieth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. According to David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada, “The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.”
Canada – On January 6, long-time World Renew volunteers, Jack and Elly Dalmaijer, were surprised at church with a presentation of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.
The medals are two of 60,000 created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. According to David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada, “The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.”
Throughout 2012, a large number of organizations, representing a broad spectrum of Canadian society were invited to submit nominations. Sixty thousand names were then selected, of which Jack and Elly, nominated by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, were two. Their long history of service with World Renew made them ideal candidates.
Jack and Elly were the first ever World Renew International Relief Managers — a volunteer position that has kept them busy for the past thirteen years.
They have led 20 global relief projects from 2000 to 2012
“They have led 20 global relief projects from 2000 to 2012 in the countries of Mozambique, Rwanda, Congo, Haiti/Dominican Republic, Uganda, Sudan/Darfur, Mexico, Guatemala, Kenya, Mali, Philippines, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Niger which involved crisis situations of famines, floods, volcanoes, wars, genocide, and hurricanes,” said local Councilor, Len Bracko, who presented the medals on behalf of the Canadian government to the Dalmaijers during a church service at the Christian Reformed Church of St. Albert, Alberta.
The couple have also been very active in their church, community and local Christian school and have four children and eleven grandchildren. World Renew is grateful that despite this busy lifestyle, Jack and Elly have made time for serving those in need around the world through World Renew.
“We would like to congratulate Jack and Elly on receiving this high honour,” said Wayne deJong, World Renew Director of Disaster Response and Rehabilitation, upon hearing the news.
“They have been fundamental to the growth and strengthening of the IRM program and have impacted the lives of thousands of people through their dedication to serving families and communities affected by disasters. Jack and Elly truly demonstrate what living justice, loving mercy and serving Christ means, and on behalf of World Renew we feel incredibly blessed that they have felt called to serve through our International Disaster Response team. We pray that Jack and Elly, and all the IRMs, may continue to be a blessing to others through their work and example!”