Yearly Archive 2023

BySuzanne Hull

Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant Recipient – 2024

The organizers of Christkindlmarket Des Moines are pleased to announce the receipt of a Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant. These funds will be used to support the operational expenses of the Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines.

Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources to maximize the impact of arts, culture and heritage to advance regional priorities. Since 2006, Bravo has awarded more than 1,200 grants to 100+ arts, culture and heritage organizations and programs, with total funding exceeding $55 million. Bravo is almost entirely funded through Hotel/Motel taxes.

BySuzanne Hull

Can Do Cancer – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

Can Do Cancer will be a first-time participant in CDM’s Silent Auction. As they work to improve the lives of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Des Moines, Ames and surrounding areas, they will also be livening up CDM’s Christmas Forest with a festive tree.

Can Do Cancer has been able to help 130 patients in 2023 with meals on infusion treatment days, house cleaning throughout active treatment, a website with practical tips and advice, and access to a fellow breast cancer survivor through their Patient Partner program. Proceeds from the Silent Auction tree will go to provide the funds needed to continue their work. On average each patient receives $1,200 in support and services.

With nearly 70 volunteers who serve as Patient Partners, they are “The Guiding Stars” who make this program work! They will be hand-painting ornaments in blues, greens, and metallics to celebrate each individual. The Patient Partner team represents a dedicated group of breast cancer survivors who give their time and experiences to provide moral support and encouragement to current cancer patients. Their commitment is invaluable to current patients and the program couldn’t do what it does without them.


Check our Can Do Cancer’s “The Guiding Stars” by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Living History Farms – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

Living History Farms is a first-time decorator at CDM and enjoys the opportunity to connect with the German cultural aspects of Christkindmarket Des Moines. This working museum has a home built by Irish immigrants and a re-creation of a home from Norwegian immigrants. With a mission to connect Iowans to the many stories of our heritage, including European immigrants, Living History Farms closely aligns with CDM’s mission of education our local population about European heritage in our state.

Every admission to Living History Farms museum is heavily subsidized by donations and fundraising. They are excited to raise spirits and funds during this holiday season!

Check out Living History Farms’ tree by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Self Help International – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

Self-Help International will be making their first appearance in the Christmas Forest. As an Iowa-based international non-profit, Self-Help International is dedicated to alleviating hunger in rural communities in Ghana, West Africa, and Nicaragua, Central America by helping people help themselves. They prioritize local staff and community leadership and programs to address the gaps in development by ensuring program partners have access to knowledge as well as the resources to put their knowledge into action.


Find Self-Help International’s festive tree at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Danish Brotherhood – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

The Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15 has been hard at work creating a festive Danish tree to tempt bidders. As a four-year participant, this has become an organization tradition bringing members together to celebrate Danish heritage as they craft a beautiful tree.

The Danish Brotherhood was chartered November 26, 1884 with a mission to encourage Danish tradition, support members, and other community nonprofits. Here is their tree from 2022, amazing!

Drop a bid on the Danish Brotherhood’s tree at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

AFS-USA – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

AFS-USA has come back for a second year of merry-making at #CDM2023. A large portion of AFS-USA’s local exchange students are either from Germany or speak German, and by participating in Christkindlmarket Des Moines, the students get to share their culture with those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to travel to Europe to see first-hand what a holiday experience in Germany is like. In addition, AFS-USA is able to share their vision and mission with community members who might be interested in learning more about either hosting an exchange student from another country, volunteering with our organization or studying abroad.

As a non-profit organization, funds to provide our exchange students with opportunities to attend events to participate in a true “American” experience is limited. The funds from the silent auction would be used to pay admission fees to museums, sporting events, and cultural and musical productions for those students who don’t have the means to pay for those activities on their own. Here is their tree from 2022, so beautiful!


Enjoy AFS-USA’s joyful tree by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

The Italian-American Cultural Center is returning to the CDM Silent Auction for a second year. Even though the Cultural Center has been in existence for more than 30 years, there are still people in the community who do not now about this organization and what they do. Partnering with CDM allows them to expand their outreach in the community and secure additional funds for their programming.

In addition to an educational museum, the Italian-American Cultural Center offers a variety of opportunities for individuals as well as groups to take part in programs and events including: language instruction, cooking, and folk dancing. Italian travel and cooking videos are shown as well as Italian movies. Group tours are given to students as well as adults. The Center also offers self-planned tours of Italy as well as trips to various Italian festivals around the country.

Enjoy the Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa’s fabulous tree by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

The Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge will be making an impressive 6th appearance in the Christmas Forest this year. Sons of Norway has been in existence for 126 years and the Marsteinen Lodge, located in Des Moines, has been around for 37 of those. They are dedicated to keeping the Norwegian culture alive and membership consists of those who have Norwegian ancestry and anyone who has an interest in the culture. They use fundraising proceeds to support lodge programing and other non-profits in the community. Here is their tree from 2022. Isn’t it festive?

Stop by the Weihnachtswald Tent to see the Sons of Norway’s tree creation at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30 – December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Serving Hands, Inc – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during CDM 2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

Serving Hands, Inc. will be joining the CDM Silent Auction for their second year. As a non-denominational, not-for-profit organization, established in 2018, Serving Hands, Inc. strives to help those in the community who are struggling to support themselves or their families. People from all walks of life work together to serve others by providing food, personal hygiene items, and financial assistance to those in need.
Serving Hands, Inc. appreciates the community aspect of Chrsitkindlmarket Des Moines and will use the Silent Auction Funds to increase the scope of their work this holiday season, spreading joy and kindness to those in need. Here is their tree from 2022. It’s so cute!

Interested in what Serving Hands, Inc. will be serving up for their Silent Auction tree? Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30 – December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during CDM 2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa will be decorating a tree at CDM 2023 for a third year. Providing “Hope” is the main goal of this animal rescue which was founded in June 2014. They are a no-kill rescue who strives to protect and provide hope as they search for loving homes for stray and neglected animals.

Without a brick-and-mortar location, Hope Animal Rescue utilizes community and cultural events like CDM to get their organization in front of more Iowans. As a 100% foster/volunteer-based rescue, without local, state or federal support, Hope relies solely on the generosity of others through donations. Here is their tree from 2022. Isn’t it paw-mazing?

If you are ready to bark or meow up the Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30 – December 3, 2023!