Queen Máxima presented the Apples of Orange prize on Thursday, in a surprise digital ceremony as the regular ceremony needed to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Traditionally, the winners are announced and presented at Noordeinde Palace, however this year, the winners were surprised by presenter Giovanca Ostiana, Queen Máxima, and representatives from the Orange Fund, with three teams of people to present the awards in-person to each winner.
The 2020 Apples of Orange prizes were awarded to three groups that, according to the Orange Fund’s website, “create long-standing relationships between buddies. Especially buddies that probably would never have met without their help. Buddies learn from each other, spend time together and really make an effort to better ‘live together’ in our society.”
The three winners were Company & Society, My Second Family from SOVEE, and the Big Apple prize winner was Villa Pinedo.
Company & Society’s project, Time 2 Shine, works to link young people in Haarlem with mentors from the business community, building their self-esteem and confidence. The organisation posted on their Facebook page: “We are so proud of our project and all those who make it possible! Special thanks to all mentors and young people.”
My Second Family from SOVEE provides support to unaccompanied minors who are refugees by supporting them through everyday tasks and creating a second family for young people who have lost their own. The organisation said on their Facebook page that they “are so proud and grateful” of their win.
The Big Apple prize was awarded to Villa Pinedo, an organisation that provides support to children of divorced or divorcing parents on all aspects of life, and provides a forum for the children to chat with others in a supportive environment. Villa Pinedo posted on its Facebook page, “[W]e owe to all 360 volunteers who support children with divorced parents as Buddy and offer them a listening ear. We are so proud!
“Thanks to all volunteers, thanks to everyone who voted for Villa Pinedo before and thanks to the Oranje Fonds!”
The winners of the Apples of Orange win a bronze statuette, which is created by Princess Beatrix, and prize money totalling €15,000. The Apples of Orange are presented every year by Queen Máxima, but King Willem-Alexander presents the awards every five years.
The Apples of Orange prizes are presented by the Orange Fund, a wedding gift to King Willem-Alexander and in 2002, the Orange Fund merged with the Juliana Wellbeing Fund and now works to promote social projects and initiatives.
