Volunteer in the spotlight

Frans behind the bar

We may not say it often enough, but Athena would never be the same without the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers. They are the beating heart of the association: people who provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere and make our campsites feel like a little paradise.  

This time we put Frans in the spotlight. With his open heart and warm smile, he has been behind the bar at Athena Ossendrecht for years. Not just as a bartender, but as someone who makes meetings possible, connects people and creates a familiar place for everyone who steps inside. 

Frans is 62 and lives in Eeklo. I meet him on a Thursday afternoon in his "new" caravan at Athena Ossendrecht. "I go home for two days every week to keep up with my paperwork and to see how my stepson is doing," he says. "The rest of the week I'm at Athena." Frans used to work as a truck driver. After an accident, he developed back problems and could no longer do heavy work. That's how he ended up at home more than 20 years ago.

His path to Athena was almost accidental. "I've been a member since 2015, but first went to another campground. That one got too expensive. Then I saw a little caravan for sale on Facebook. I went looking and bought it, which is how I ended up here." Last year, he took over a larger caravan. "The previous one was small, now I'm actually sitting luxuriously, lol!"

In the beginning, Frans came mostly during the week, going home on weekends. "It's actually because of Wendy that I'm here on the weekends now too," he laughs. "She said, 'wouldn't you be better off coming on the weekends and staying home the other days?' I said yes, okay, and that's how I stayed here more often. Only afterwards did I understand why ... to do the bar of course."

Frans always had fun behind the bar. "I used to have a bar in Sleidinge, and also took courses specifically for that. When they were looking for volunteers here at Athena, I volunteered. I wanted to be busy, and it seemed fun to get to know lots of people. Otherwise you sit there all day at your caravan.

Frans is now on call about 10 to 15 hours a week. "Before, sometimes in blocks of five to six hours. That was sometimes tough. Now more volunteers have joined and it's a little lighter. Soon I will also be working 18 to 21 hours behind the bar."

Volunteering goes more smoothly than in the past. "Back then you had to fill out a piece of paper and hope that this or that person would show up. Now everything goes through the app: you see who is doing the bar before and after you. That's convenient."

Frans also enjoys training new volunteers. "Wendy already says, 'Frans will train you.' I like doing that and people like it too, I think, because they come back." He likes it when it's a little busy, but not too busy. "Time goes much faster then, too. If there's nothing to do, it takes a long time. Then I'd rather be busy. And if it gets too much, someone jumps in anyway."

Behind the bar, there is always room for a joke. "I do that with almost everyone, it makes it fun. You shouldn't overdo it of course, but when they say fill them up again, and then fill the glass with water, things like that ... People do appreciate that."

Thank you, Frans, for your years of dedication and your warm smile - without you, Athena would not be the same!

Volunteers like Frans make Athena what it is

Our campsites are places of warmth, conviviality and connection. Thanks to the enthusiasm, commitment and care of the volunteers, everyone feels welcome. Have you thought about volunteering yourself? Then let Frans inspire you. Behind the bar or anywhere else on the campsite: there is always room for someone who wants to give a little of their time and heart.