Photographer Bart van Overbeeke came across the pair by chance: Pieter Jacobs (left in the photo) and Mark Langedijk. Both are board members of DEMOS and, when asked, Langedijk tells why they are showing car drivers, as well as cyclists and pedestrians, the way to the corona vaccination center. Saturday through Wednesday it is the turn of vulnerable groups among Eindhoven's over-sixties to get their jab at Evoluon.

“The mother of an association member knew the municipality was looking for parking attendants for five days and thought that Demos could help out. We are happy to do this because it's a matter of public interest that these vaccinations are given as smoothly as possible. Sixteen of us Demos members are going to be greeting five thousand people and helping them to find a parking spot or the way to the entrance,” says vice president Langedijk.

Extra income

The money this will earn them, a volunteer's rate for ninety hours of work, is destined for the association's coffers. With the loss of bar takings in De Keizer, the association's premises, it is a welcome addition. “We do organize things now and then to boost our funds. In addition, of course, we have our income from subscriptions and gifts made by former members.”

In the week of the national elections, Demos will be holding its fifty-eighth founder's week. “On Monday March 15th we hope to make a profit on our Cookery Show, so that we can use those funds for later activities. For five euros, members can come along and pick up a pack of ingredients. Then, that evening, they can take an online workshop given by our cookery committee and learn how to make a three-course meal using those ingredients.”

For Demos's birthday a debate evening is being organized, highly appropriate as it will then be election week. Members will compete in pairs to see who can best defend some lighthearted debate motions. Langedijk, himself from Zeeland, is already hoping for the motion ‘Limburg is finer than Zeeland’.