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A life for sport: Karl Heinz Ries turns 90!
Karl Heinz Ries will be 90 years old on December 22nd. His achievements in sport and volunteer work are recognized.
A life for sport: Karl Heinz Ries turns 90!
On December 22, 2025, Karl Heinz Ries will celebrate a big birthday - his 90th, you could say! The former city councilor and local political veteran has been involved in the fortunes of Ludwigshafen for decades and relies on supporting sports and volunteer work. Ries was a member of the city council from 1984 to 1994 and took over the position of managing director of the SPD parliamentary group in the district council from 1974 to 2014. In doing so, he not only had a strong influence on local politics, but also on the community. As the Rhine Palatinate reports, Ries has received numerous honors in his career, including the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon and the Prime Minister's Sports Plaque.
Ries is not only a political head, but also a heart for sport. He was an active athlete and later chairman of the Ludwigshafen Sports Association, where he played a key role in the realization of the athletics hall at the Südwest Stadium. Letters of appreciation also came from Julia May, the SPD parliamentary group leader, and Gregory Scholz, chairman of the SPD city association, who honored his extensive commitment to the community.
Volunteering in focus
Voluntary work is very important in Germany. According to the Federal Government Millions of people are involved in various areas such as emergency services, sports, music, and more. Volunteering is not only seen as the foundation of our society, but also as an important player in times of crisis. The Federal Minister for Sport and Volunteering emphasizes how important it is to give these people visibility and recognition.
The federal government has also set out measures to strengthen voluntary work in the coalition agreement. Increasing the flat rate for trainers and the flat rate for volunteer work are just a few approaches to improving the conditions for those involved. In addition, a law to reduce bureaucracy should help the various organizations and thus make work on site easier.
An example of exceptional commitment
An example from Gummersbach provides a further impression of the diverse role of volunteer work. Here Joachim Tump was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. His commitment was honored in a solemn ceremony attended by numerous companions and representatives of the city and politics. This shows that awards like Ries's not only recognize individual achievements, but also strengthen the community as a whole.
The gospel choir “Stone Street Voices” accompanied Tump's tribute musically, which highlights the importance of such events: They create connections and strengthen social interaction. These gestures show respect and encourage future generations to get involved in the community.
Karl Heinz Ries' life's work is an impressive testimony to what community commitment can achieve and remains a role model for many who would like to continue to work for the well-being of their homeland in the future. With his 90th birthday, the importance of volunteering is more visible than ever - not only for Ries, but also for many others who invest themselves in their community every day.