Bright Beginnings Preschool, Ankeny
The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations to our market patrons.
“It’s a Marshmallow World” for Bright Beginnings Preschool as they enjoy a second year of CDM participation. Along with crafting items for their tree, the children will be gearing up for their annual tradition of singing for family members at a Christmas concert.
Bright Beginnings Preschool was opened in 1964 by a church member that saw a need for early childhood education in the Ankeny community. The preschool programs provide opportunities for a child to realize his or her own potential. Each program is specifically structured for the developmental age level of the child enrolled, which encompasses two– five-year-olds. Cooperative planning ensures that the programs complement each other.
Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1 st – 4 th . Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1 st at 5pm.
Bright Beginnings Preschool Upcoming Events:
- November: Little Caesars Pizza Fundraiser
- December: Community Drive to benefit a local organization
For more information on Bright Beginnings Preschool and upcoming events, please visit their website and Facebook Page.
Iowa Genealogical Society
The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations to our market patrons. We have a wonderful mix of returning cheer spreaders and new go-getters to bring all the charm market goers have come to expect from the CDM Silent Tree Auction in the Weihnachtswald.
Returning for a third year, the Iowa Genealogical Society will be “Dashing through the years of Iowa” with their tree. Expect a show-stopper representing everything Iowa including persons, places, and things from all eras of Iowa History.
The Iowa Genealogical Society was founded in 1965 with a mission to foster an interest in genealogy and aid others in researching their family history. Family and community is at the very heart of what the Genealogical Society promotes.
Creating a tree complete with theme, decorations, and creativity has become a fun tradition for all members of IGS. They have also celebrated the holidays as an organization by decorating wreaths and created holiday traditions within their specialized groups.
Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1st – 4th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1st at 5pm.
For more information the Iowa Genealogical Society and upcoming events, please visit
their website.
Iowa Genealogical Society Upcoming Events:
- November 5 th at 10:30am. The Final Salute by Cris Nagla and Dennis Allen
- November 10 th 6:30pm Mennonite Class by Renee Cue
- December 3 rd at 10:30 am IGS Welcomes Linda McCann
The Postcard: #CDMCurbside FREE KinderKorner Craft Kits sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company
It has been a long tradition in many cultures to send a Christmas greeting. According to Smithsonian Magazine, during Victorian England, Sir Henry Cole became concerned he was being impolite for not returning Christmas greetings that were beginning to pile up. He asked an artist friend, J.C. Horsley, to sketch a family at a table celebrating the holiday surrounded by images of people helping the poor. Cole took the sketch to a printer and had a thousand copies made on stiff cardboard reading “A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You.” A Christmas Postcard was born!
If you want to get in on this long-standing tradition and many others, visit the CDM Curbside presented by Christkindlmarket Des Moines online marketplace now through Nov. 22nd to place your order and pick up your kits at Principal Park Dec. 3rd – 6th. Due to the generous support of MidAmerican Energy Company, the Kinderkorner will have a variety of FREE children’s craft kits for ages 1 – 12 available to add on to your shopping cart while supplies last.
MidAmerican Energy Company not only provided the means, but they also supplied volunteers to assemble the kits. MidAmerican Energy Company hopes you enjoy the KinderKorner Craft Kits!
MidAmerican Energy Company is an energy company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its service area includes almost two-thirds of Iowa, as well as portions of Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska. In addition to traditional power plants, MidAmerican Energy began investing in green energy generation in 2004.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Epilepsy Foundation of Iowa
The Epilepsy Foundation of Iowa provides meaningful help to Iowan’s impacted with seizure disorders and epilepsy. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and SUDEP, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research to accelerate ideas into therapies.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation of Iowa’s representative, Jessica Hunnell, “We can help families when a loved one is newly diagnosed with epilepsy and guide them to resources to help overcome challenges often associated with epilepsy to improve quality of life. We provide education folders, as well as epilepsy medical ID necklaces/bracelets and epilepsy empowerment groups are held across the state.”
“Advocacy is a large part of what we do, and we are always advocating to improve access for all potential treatment options for seizure management and physician access. Other advocacy efforts include helping navigate the IEP process in the school setting or collaborating with an employment counselor to help obtain and maintain employment with accommodations in place. We organize & host an annual Iowa Seizure Smart Conference which brings in experts to educate families & caregivers on seizure treatment, management & social services and includes a community resource fair and an education program for children.”
The Epilepsy Foundation of Iowa will be using shades of purple, the Epilepsy Foundation’s color of epilepsy awareness, to trim their tree at the upcoming Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ 2nd annual Silent Tree Auction. If you are interested in bidding on this tree and supporting this organization, come to Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017, December 1st-3rd.
Click here for more information on the Epilepsy Foundation of Iowa.
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: A Home for EveryBunny
A Home for EveryBunny is Iowa’s only rabbit-specific rescue. Though rabbits are the third most popular pet in the US, they don’t typically get the unique care that their species requires. The goal of this organization is to provide the specific care required for rabbits, as well as to raise awareness of how amazing house rabbits are.
The rabbit rescue has only been in operation since May, but in those few short months, they have been able to rescue about 10 rabbits, and have many more on a waiting list for when foster homes open up. Some of these rabbits have come from absolute deplorable conditions, others were dumped to fend for themselves, and others were simply not wanted anymore.
According to Rachel McCarl, who works with the rescue, “Rabbits are not simply an animal to leave in a hutch. When brought into the home and socialized, these animals have similar personalities to cats. They are playful, loving, and can be very sassy! Rabbits are fantastic pets that are often overlooked, so we want to give them a spotlight.”
“Our tree’s theme will be ‘Snow Bunny’. It will be delicately decorated in snow white with hidden white rabbits throughout the tree. Adopted and adoptable rabbits with be subtly featured as well, making this tree even more meaningful, while also being a great pick for those who are and who are not as bunny crazy as we are.”
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is proud to support A Home for EveryBunny during our 2nd annual Silent Tree Auction. If you are interested in bidding on this tree and supporting this organization, come to Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 December 1st-3rd.
For more information on A Home for EveryBunny, please visit their website or Facebook page.
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.