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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Alliance Française of Central 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.
Alliance Française of Central Iowa will be participating in the CDM Silent Auction for their third year. This organization was established in 1994, and is part of the Alliance Française global network that dates from 1883. Today, there are over 1200 Alliance chapters established in 112 countries. The Alliance is an all-volunteer, non-profit, educational, and cultural organization whose mission is to help foster friendship and collaboration between the people of Central Iowa and the French speaking world. They work to develop knowledge and appreciation of the French culture and the French language.
Alliance Française of Central Iowa enjoys CDM’s addition to cultural life in Central Iowa and loves supporting Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ mission. Here is their tree from 2022. Isn’t it amazing?
Enjoy the festive tree created by Alliance Française of Central Iowa at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30 – December 3, 2023!
EXIT Realty Capital City | 2023 Yuletide Hall Stage Sponsor
We’re pleased to welcome EXIT Realty Capital City as the Yuletide Hall Stage Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023.
EXIT Realty Capital City is comprised of a team of local real estate professionals committed to fast, professional and courteous service to help you understand and feel at ease throughout the home buying and selling process.
EXIT Realty Capital City is interested in serving property buyers and sellers throughout Iowa. When you’re looking to buy a house, their agents will help match you with the perfect home for your family and help you navigate the complex transaction process. EXIT Realty agents provide guidance on everything from making the initial offer to fulfilling all the lender’s requirements and closing the deal. Home buyers are also encouraged to take advantage of a free home loan analysis to get the process started for approved financing.
If you’re looking to sell your home, use EXIT Realty’s expertise to get the full value of your house. With EXIT Realty’s innovative digital marketing strategies combined with proven direct marketing tactics, you’ll be able to sell your home faster at a rewarding price. Their agents value your time and respond promptly to your requests and questions as they come along.
Meet the Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023 Christkind
We would like to introduce Karlie Latterell as the Christkind for this year’s Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Karlie is a student at Norwalk High School.
The Christkind is the namesake of Christkindlmarkets. The Christkind is often described as a fairy-like being dressed in gold and white robes with a crown upon their golden locks. Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: parades during the holiday season were guided by one “grand” angel, the Christkind. They are the bearer of gifts to most children in German-speaking countries, much like Santa Claus is in the United States.
Our Christkind will be making appearances at the festival during our opening ceremony December 1, 2023 from 6pm – 7pm. She will also make appearances on December 2nd and 3rd from 2pm-4pm.
