The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.

Decorating for their fourth year, SoN will treat us to a “Red, White, and Blue” tree representing the countries of Norway, United Sates, and Canada, where lodges are located. The decorations are mostly handmade and will include natural materials, wooden ornaments, Rosemaled ornaments, garden materials and treated paper ornaments.

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 with Norwegian ancestry and anyone who has an interest in the culture. Christmas is the highlight of Norwegian winters. Before December 25th many towns have a Christmas market, special parties and concerts. These activities unify the communities and families with a strong tradition of special foods, music, dances, decorations, even the animals are included. The Marsteinen Lodge usually has a potluck dinner at the December meeting followed by singing and dancing around the Christmas tree. The children attending are treated to a visit from the Nisse bringing small gifts.

Silent Auction funds will be used to aid other nonprofit organizations in the community.

If you would like to bid on the “Red, White, and Blue” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2^nd-5^th. Bidding is available via text and online at www.event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2^nd at 5pm.

For more information Sons of Norway, Martsteinen Lodge, please visit their website.

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.

Decorating for their first time, Serving Hands, Inc. would like to encourage everyone to open your hearts to the world with “Loving Kindness.” Ornaments with inspirational messages remind everyone how important it is to show loving kindness in a divisive world. The tree ornaments symbolize nature with pine cones and wooden ornaments reflect the serenity that nature provides.

Since its inception in December 2018, Serving Hands, Inc. has provided 1077 meals, donated 837 hygiene items, and provided financial assistance to individuals, families, and organizations in need. As a volunteer led nonprofit, people from all walks of life serve others by providing food, personal hygiene, and financial assistance to those in need.

The holidays mean hope, love, kindness, and giving. Serving Hands, Inc hopes to impact and enrich people’s lives during this season and beyond by using the funds from the Silent Auction to further their work in the community.

If you would like to bid on the “Loving Kindness” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2^nd-5^th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2^nd at 5pm.

For more information the Serving Hands, Inc., please visit their website.

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction has returned this year with ten local non-profits to support while enjoying the market experience.

Returning for a second year, Iowa Genealogical Society wants to celebrate an anniversary with CDM! “Blast from the Past” will be a 1950’s theme marking 2022 as the 72^nd anniversary of the 1950 US Federal Census. This is an important occasion to genealogists because it means the population tables from the 1950 census will be released for use by genealogists and the general public.

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. The holidays are important and facilitate many occasions for families to gather and share their roots.

If you would like to bid on the “Blast from the Past” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2^nd-5^th. Bidding is available via text and online at www.event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2^nd at 5pm.

For more information the Iowa Genealogical Society, please visit their website.

The Danish Sisterhood national organization was started in Michigan in 1883. Many Danish people were immigrating to America and found themselves in need of help. The Sisterhood was built as a support to those Danes that needed a helping hand both financially and emotionally. Lodge 102 was a “rebirth” of a lodge that disbanded then restarted in the early 1900’s.

The mission of the Danish Sisterhood is to preserve and strengthen the Danish culture in the community. In addition, they adhere to the principals of support by helping sisters in need.

The money raised in the Silent Auction will be used in service to other organizations including the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa. The museum is archiving and cataloging artifacts reaching back the late 1800’s from Danish Sisterhoods across the United States. The Sisterhood also supports The Ronald McDonald House, Dorothy’s House, and the Food Bank of Iowa.

If you would like to bid on the “Homemade Heritage” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 2^nd-5^th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2021 starting December 2^nd at 5pm.

For more information the The Danish Sisterhood of America, please visit their website.