Christkindlmarket Des Moines Nonprofit Partnership Program (NPP)
An der Weihnachtsecke (At the Christmas Corner, CDM Store)
| Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6, 2024 | Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 2024 |
 Community Hand Up | |
Glühwein & Kinderpunsch Tent
| Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6, 2024 | Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 2024 |
 Daughters of Penelope Zeus #38 |  Soroptimist International of Des Moines |
 Prevent Child Abuse Iowa |  Ankeny Choral Music Parent Organization |
 Des Moines Children’s Museum |  Threshold Learning Center |
Community Hand Up |  LPGA Amateurs – Des Moines, Chapter, Inc. |
LPGA Amateurs – Des Moines, Chapter, Inc. |  Camp Hertko Hollow |
Are you looking for a fundraiser for your non-profit? Join us as one of our nonprofit partners at Christkindlmarket Des Moines this year!
Partnership Opportunities – closed for 2024
Beverages (5 Points of Sale Available): Sell Glühwein and Kinderpunsch
An der Weihnachtsecke (CDM Store) (1 Points of Sale Available): Sell imported food, nutcrackers, smokers, glassware, ornaments, merchandise
PRE‐FESTIVAL
- Create all volunteer schedules and shifts including at least fifteen (15) minutes before the shift begins. Shifts can be as long or as short as you like.
- Fully staff all hours selected with 4 individuals.
- Provide overall main contact and all shift leaders cell numbers to CDM Leadership.
DURING FESTIVAL
- Sell product. Nonprofit may sell only products provided by the Festival.
- General clean-up of space, unboxing product, preparing product to be sold.
- Removal of trash and debris to appropriate areas.
- Cash management and the taking of electronic payments via POS system (provided).
CDM Management will:
- Set up tables and Point of Sale.
- Manage stock levels.
- Organize product for the next day.
- Manage cash and provide change.
THE PARTNERSHIP
Nonprofit partners can choose the following partnership levels and receive the associated donation from the Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC), the non-profit that produce CDM:
Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6, 2024 | $500 donation
Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 2024 | $500 donation
Thursday, December 5 – Sunday, December 8, 2024 | $1000 donation
Nonprofit partners will be provided with:
- A hyperlinked listing on our website as a nonprofit partner with the date, times and location of your volunteering
- Social media promotion of our partnership
- Individual blog post announcing/publicizing our partnership
While volunteering the nonprofit may place their tip jar next to the CDM tip jar for cash tips/donations. The nonprofit’s tip jar must be clearly labeled with the name of their nonprofit. 100% of the cash tips in the nonprofit’s tip jar revert back to the nonprofit. Talking about your nonprofit is acceptable; the solicitation of tips is not. The use of a digital/cashless tip jar is acceptable.
Anyone handling alcohol will need to complete online I-PACT (Iowa – Program for Alcohol Compliance) Training. After successfully passing the final test, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. The test takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete and can be completed online at https://abd.iowa.gov/education/i-pact.
Please direct questions and interest in our nonprofit partnership program to Suzanne Hull, [email protected] or 515-250-6366
Event Planning and Production Intern
| Organization: | Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) |
| Job Type/Description: | Event Planning and Production Intern, Christkindlmarket Des Moines (Remote) |
| Start/End Dates: | 1Apr2022 – 15Dec2022 |
| Schedule: | Monday – Friday, some evenings for optional, scheduled online meetings |
| Time Commitment: | Approximately 5 hours/week, scaling up to optional 8hrs/day during the festival and set up/tear down |
| Compensation: | Unpaid |
| Location: | Remote. Optional on-site support during the festival and set up/tear down: 28Nov2022 – 5Dec2022 |
You could be the next intern with Christkindlmarket Des Moines!
Who we are: The mission of IECC is to connect Iowans with European traditions, language learning and cultural experiences. Our signature event is Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM).
Inspired by a European tradition, Christkindlmarket Des Moines provides an outdoor venue for vendors to sell European handcrafted wares, foods and beverages from traditional wooden huts. Attendees learn about European culture through children’s activities, demonstrations & live entertainment. Since it began in 2016, CDM has grown to become the second largest festival of its kind in the US (based on average daily attendance). The popular outdoor event takes place at Principal Park’s Main Lot.
Here is your chance to build on your skills and turn what you’ve learned into support for a large-scale special event.
General Responsibilities
- Support all aspects of organizing the USs’ second largest holiday market on-site (optional) and virtually
- Assist with activities related to event planning and coordination, for example, the logistics behind the scenes, organizing entertainment for the market, and performing important administrative tasks
- Event marketing activities such as media outreach, graphic design and social media assistance
- Sponsorship research
- Optional on-site market support, including interacting with visitors, assisting with the support of vendor’s needs, and helping to prepare the venue for attendee experiences and performances
- Interact with visitors and attendees in person (optional) and virtually
Candidates should possess the following:
- Creativity, organization skills and attention to detail
- Good work ethic, ability to multi-task, positive attitude
- Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment
- Strong research, communication, and organizational skills (verbal and written)
- Strong interest in full-cycle event planning and behind the scenes logistics
- Good knowledge of Microsoft office programs, Dropbox, Google Drive and MailChimp are of advantage
- Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign are of advantage
- Strong customer service skills
This Internship will offer you the opportunity to become more familiar with large-scale, outdoor festival planning and production, working with external vendors, sponsors and volunteers. We hope you will help Christkindlmarket Des Moines deliver magic for the holidays!
To apply: Send resume to [email protected] along with one long-form writing sample (press release, blog post, etc.) and 5 short-form writing samples (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram posts).
Volunteer at #CDM2021
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) invites you to be a part of something great: Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Volunteers are integral to a successful community event. We need your help, and we have several opportunities to choose from whether you’re looking for just yourself or a group team building experience. Be sure to include family members, friends and others who could join you to make it more fun!
NEW THIS YEAR: Refer 5 volunteers and get a drink or brat/hot dog ticket that you can pick up when you check in at the Volunteer Tent for YOUR shift. AND The individual whose referral efforts lead to the most hours volunteered will win a $100 Visa gift card.
NON-PROFITS: If your non-profit signs up to fill a shift (volunteers need not be directly associated with your non-profit) to serve Glühwein, beer or brats/hot dogs, you may put out your own “tip” jar for cash donations during that shift. Please email [email protected] with proof of tax-exempt status and the location/date/time of your shift.
After your shift, turn in your credential at the Volunteer Tent for: a ticket worth 5% off your purchase in “An der Weihnachtsecke”, a ticket for one free brat/hot dog or one free drink ticket. Christkindlmarket Des Moines Tear Down volunteers will enjoy pizza on Sunday night. At the end of the weekend, all volunteers will be entered in a drawing. One lucky winner will get to choose either a piece of IECC merchandise or imported food.
All volunteers must be at least 16 years old when they report for their volunteer shift. Those working with alcohol must be at least 18 years old when they report for their volunteer shift.
PROMOTING A SAFE AND HEALTHY EVENT: Rest assured that CDM prioritizes the safety and health of our volunteers. We will take guidance provided by local and state health authorities under advisement and make event modifications to ensure a safe experience for all. Based on this guidance, we will provide updated COVID-19 mitigation strategies and requirements as the event approaches.
Sign Up Here!
Beer Pourers: **Great for groups/team building** Work with the Iowa Beer Bus team to serve beer to attendees.
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt (Food preparation): **Great for groups/team building** From a canopy tent adjacent to the festival venue, grill and package brats and hot dogs to be sold at a wooden vendor hut on the venue.
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt (Sales): **Great for groups/team building** From a wooden vendor hut, sell prepared brats and hot dogs to market patrons.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines PR: From the festival entrance, welcome patrons and hand out sitemaps.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines Setup: **Great for groups/team building** Do you have an eye for detail? Work with a team to set up Christmas trees, assemble signage, hang stringed lights and decorate wooden vendor stalls.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines Tear Down: **Great for groups/team building** Remove Christmas trees, disassemble signage, remove stringed lights, remove decorations from wooden vendor stalls.
Glühwein & Kinderpunsch Sales: **Great for groups/team building** Serve warm, mulled wine and mulled cider from a tent or in Yuletide Hall to eager attendees.
Information Tent: From a 3-sided tent, answer patron’s questions, provide festival maps, share European tourism information and provide information about Iowa European Cultural Connection.
Non-Profit Tree Setup: Place live, 6-foot fir trees in tree stands and positioning them in outdoor tent.
Non-Profit Tree Tear Down: Remove ornaments and lights from non-profit trees and help silent auction winners transport these items and possibly the tree to their vehicles.
Parking Attendant: Manage free parking lot for vendors, volunteers, performers and Principal Park employees
Sales Associate – Merchandising: For our store, help ensure that product is displayed properly and answer customer questions.
Sales Associate – Online Order Pickup: From our store, hand out orders customers have placed online when they arrive to pick them up.
Sales Associate – Point of Sale: For our store, operate a point-of-sale system on an iPad, take cash, and interact with customers.
Vendor Stall Setup: **Great for groups/team building** Construct prefabricated wooden vendor stalls. **Heavy lifting definitely required**
Vendor Stall Tear Down: **Great for groups/team building** Tear down prefabricated wooden vendor stalls. **Heavy lifting definitely required**
Volunteer Relations: Greet and check-in volunteers, direct volunteers to assigned areas, and keep Volunteer Headquarters organized.
Yuletide Hall (heated entertainment tent): Assist the Yuletide Hall site leaders to ensure that performers have arrived, are prepared to take the stage, have what they need to perform while maintaining a neat and tidy venue.
Yuletide Hall Setup: **Great for groups/team building** Work inside a tent, outside of the elements, as you set up and decorate an artificial, pre-lit tree, set up tables and chairs and install lights and garland.
Yuletide Hall Tear Down: **Great for groups/team building** Work inside a tent, outside of the elements, as you disassemble an artificial, pre-lit tree, tear down and stack tables and chairs and remove lights and garland.
Sign Up Here!
Meet CDM Lead Volunteer Dave Cox
Tell us about yourself: I am a local boy, father, husband, technician with a rich history of travel and residence in Europe, particularly Germany and the UK.
When why did you become involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines? I met the founder in another group and kept in touch about our fond memories of Christkindl Markets in Germany. When she started, I was there to help make something in Des Moines that I really enjoyed in Germany.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Christkindlmarket Des Moines? Seeing others enjoy the experience and culture that would otherwise be unavailable to Iowans.
Why should others volunteer with Christkindlmarket Des Moines? The event will not run without local volunteers making it happen. Its fun and a positive community experience.
Why is it important to volunteer (in general)? Engagement in the community. After this past year we should all see the value of community.
Meet CDM Lead Volunteer Missy Mootz
Tell us about yourself: I was born and raised in western Iowa and attended The University of Iowa where I met my husband. In our 12 years of marriage we have lived in Minneapolis, Zürich, Switzerland, Des Moines, and now, currently reside in Ankeny. We have 3 children ages 6, 4 and 1, whom I entertain, chauffeur, and feed…all day long!
When and why did you become involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines: I became involved with CDM in April of 2016. We had just moved back from Switzerland in 2015, and I saw this as an opportunity to stay connected to many of the things I loved about my time in Europe.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Christkindlmarket Des Moines? I love getting together with the other volunteers. We have so much fun together and our European connections are always topics of conversation, which helps keep my Swiss experiences alive.
Why should others volunteer with Christkindlmarket Des Moines? Volunteering with CDM never feels like a responsibility. It’s another reason to get together with a group of friends and have shared fun. There is truly something for everyone!
Why is it important to volunteer? Volunteering is one of the best ways to be and get connected! If you are new to the area or find yourself without much socializing opportunities, volunteering is a great way to meet people, explore your community, and have fun!
Meet CDM Lead Volunteer Margaret Townsend
I’m Margaret Townsend. I’m a retired school teacher, grandmother, gardener and community volunteer. I became involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the initial planning time. Suzanne Hull (Festival Director) was contacting local organizations and since I belonged to both the Sons of Norway and the Danish Brotherhood one call was to me.
I met with her and a small group of other interested people to see if there was community interest.
I enjoy working with this dedicated group of young adults. This group is innovative, energetic, and welcoming. You will get a feeling of fulfillment if you join this group. You may even make some new friends.
There is a job that is just made for your set of skills whether you are into carpentry, bar tending, retail sales, scheduling, bookkeeping, music, languages……well you get the idea. (I just thought of a few more: storytelling, dancing, cooking, decorating and dish-washing.)
Watch out this could become addictive!
Volunteer at #CDMCurbside
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
CDM Curbside presented by Christkindlmarket Des Moines
November 29th – December 6th, 2020
Principal Park
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) invites you to be a part of something great: CDM Curbside presented by Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Volunteers are integral to a successful community event. We need your help and we have several volunteer opportunities to choose from whether you are looking for just yourself or a group, indoors or outdoors. Be sure to include family members, friends and others who could join you to make it more fun!
Click here to sign up!
For 2020, DMEHA has announced that it will change its annual in-person holiday experience to “CDM Curbside”. CDM Curbside will feature an online marketplace open Nov. 9 to 22, hosting several vendor online stores featuring unique holiday wares and edibles. After purchasing, customers can choose various drive-thru pickup times at Principal Park’s Main Lot from Dec. 3 to 6.
CDM Curbside will allow customers to pick up their purchases from multiple vendors at one place and time from the comfort and safety of their vehicles. Prior to pick up, vendors will deliver the customers’ orders to one location allowing volunteers to then group the orders together by customer. Vendors will not be on site for curbside pickup.
Shop the Virtual Marketplace: Nov 9, 12:01am – Nov 22, 11:59pm
CDM Curbside pickup day and time:
Thursday, December 3: 5pm – 8pm
Friday, December 4: 11am – 8pm
Saturday, December 5: 9am – 6pm
Sunday, December 6: 12pm – 5pm
Volunteer no-shows can cause great difficulties for the planning and production of CDM Curbside. We ask that you report on time and remain on task for the duration of your shift(s). All volunteers must be at least 16 years old when they report for their volunteer shift.
YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST: We will be following the CDC’s latest COVID-19 guidance. Face coverings are required, social distancing is encouraged as much as possible and volunteer managers will wipe down high-touch areas between shifts. Should you forget your face covering, a limited number will be available.
Click here to sign up!
Redeem your volunteer points for a small token of our appreciation (1 Shift volunteered per day = 1 Point):
| White – 1 Point 2020 commemorative pin Mini Rittersport (chocolate) | Blue – 2 Points Spray hand sanitizer Full size candy bar | Gold – 3 Points CDM branded pint glass 2020 commemorative ornament |
Order Fulfillment – Sorter – Indoors: Vendors will ship or deliver customer orders to Principal Park’s Cub Club. Sorters will unpack the customer orders and place them on individual vendor tables alphabetically by last name. Each volunteer will be assigned to one vendor table to allow for social distancing.
Order Fulfillment – Picker – Indoors: Attention to detail is a must! Pickers will be provided a customer order pick sheet and assemble the customer orders from various vendors. The customer orders will be organized by customer last name on individual vendor tables.
Order Fulfillment – Checker – Indoors: Attention to detail is a must! The Checker works with the Bagger to confirm the customer orders picked by the Picker. The Checker writes the customer name on each bag and adds a few stickers. The Checker also identifies orders that are incomplete and escalates any issues to a Manager.
Order Fulfillment – Bagger – Indoors: The Bagger works with the Checker to confirm the customer orders picked by the Picker. The Bagger adds printed materials and ribbon to the bag and transports the orders to a holding area adjacent to the fulfillment area while organizing the orders alphabetically by last name by pickup day.
Transporter – Indoors/Outside: Transports fulfilled customer orders from Principal Park’s Cub Club Suites to Principal Park’s Main Lot using a hand cart and Caryall Utility Cart while keeping the orders organized alphabetically.
Production Set Up – Outside: Do you have an eye for detail? Work with a team to set up Christmas trees, assemble signage, hang stringed lights, decorate wooden vendor stalls, etc. **Some heavy lifting required**
Curbside Pickup – Traffic Controller – Outside: Stationed at the entrance to Principal Park’s Main Lot, the Traffic Controller will make sure people pulling into the Main Lot are CDM Curbside customers. If not, send them off with a friendly smile and a flyer for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021.
Curbside Pickup – Greeter – Outside: Checks in customers driving through the Principal Park Main Lot to pick up their online orders. Customers will be instructed to write their name and where they want their order placed (back seat or trunk) on a piece of paper in their windshield for contactless delivery. The Greeter will direct the customer to the shortest pickup lane and call ahead via walkie talkie to a Manager with the customer name and pickup lane.
Curbside Pickup – Stager – Outside: Collates customer orders and delivers to assigned pickup lane.
Curbside Pickup – Checker – Outside: This volunteer role needs to complete online I-PACT (Iowa – Program for Alcohol Compliance) Training. Attention to detail is a must! Once the customer’s vehicle pulls up to the loading area, the Checker will confirm the customer’s identity and tell the Runner which name to grab. If the customer ordered alcohol, the Checker will need to check an ID. The Checker will verify the order one final time and mark it as “Delivered”.
Curbside Pickup – Runner – Outside: The Runner brings the customer order from the staging area (adjacent hut) to the Checker for final verification and then places the order in the vehicle’s back seat or trunk.
Production Tear Down – Outside: Remove Christmas trees, disassemble signage, remove stringed lights, remove decorations from wooden vendor stalls. **Some heavy lifting required**
#CDM2019 Volunteer Appreciation
Last Saturday we held our volunteer appreciation event to thank those that helped produce Christkindlmarket Des Moines. We couldn’t have done it without them!
Thank you to 515 Brewing Company for hosting us! It was a lot of fun.
Are you interested in getting involved to help plan this year’s event? Complete our volunteer interest form indicating your committee interests.
Are you interested in volunteering at the event this December? Opt in to our e-newsletter to be notified when opportunities are available. The Glühwein serving shifts go fast!
Volunteer at #CDM2019
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) invites you to be a part of something great: Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Volunteers are integral to a successful community event. We need your help and we have several volunteer opportunities to choose from whether you’re looking for just yourself or a group. Be sure to include family members, friends and others who could join you to make it more fun!
After your shift, turn in your credential for: a ticket worth 5% off your purchase in “An der Weihnachtsecke”, a ticket for one free Usinger sausage or one free drink ticket. Christkindlmarket Des Moines Tear Down volunteers will receive a pizza supper while tearing down Sunday night. At the end of the weekend, all volunteers will be entered in a drawing. One lucky winner will get to choose either a piece of DMEHA merchandise or imported food.
Sign up here!
NON-PROFITS: If your non-profit signs up and shows up to fill a shift (volunteers need not be directly associated with your non-profit) to serve Glühwein, beer or Usinger sausages, you may put out your own “tip” box for donations for your organization during that shift. Please email [email protected] with proof of tax-exempt status and the location/date/time of your filled shift.
No-shows can cause great difficulties for the planning and production of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. We ask that you report on time and remain on task for the duration of your shift(s). All volunteers must be at least 16 years old when they report for their volunteer shift. Those dealing with alcohol must be at least 18 years old when they report for their volunteer shift.
Sign up here!
Christkindlmarket Des Moines Setup: Do you have an eye for detail? Work with a team to set up Christmas trees, assemble signage, hang stringed lights, decorate wooden vendor stalls, etc. Some lifting may be required
Sales Associate: For two of our owned and operated locations, operate a point of sale system on an iPad, take cash, stock shelves and interact with customers.
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt: Grill and serve Usinger brats.
Beer Pourers: Work with the Iowa Beer Bus team to serve beer to attendees.
Glühwein & Kinderpunsch Sales: Serve warm, mulled wine and mulled cider from a tent or in Yuletide Hall to eager attendees.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines Tear Down: Remove Christmas trees, disassemble signage, remove stringed lights, remove decorations from wooden vendor stalls. Some lifting may be required
Parking Attendant: Manage parking for free and fee-based parking lots.
CDM Preview Ticket Takers: At the venue entrance, welcome attendees to ‘Twas the Night Before CDM, our ticketed preview party. Check attendees against guest list, sell tickets via Square and hand out tickets and goodie bags.
CDM Preview Ushers: Welcome VIP attendees into Yuletide Hall for dinner and a show!
KinderKorner: Lead children in European-centric activities. Supplies provided.
Yuletide Hall: Assist the Yuletide Hall site leaders to ensure that performers have arrived, are prepared to take the stage and have what they need to perform.
Non-Profit Trees: Remove ornaments and lights from non-profit trees and help silent auction winners transport these items and possibly the tree to their vehicles.
Information Area: Answer attendee’s questions, provide info about DMEHA, hand out site maps, entertainment schedules, etc.
Vendor Stall Setup: Construct prefabricated wooden vendor stalls. Heavy lifting definitely required
Waste Removal Elves: Empty the waste receptacles into a large roll-off bin.
Volunteer Relations: Greet and check-in volunteers, direct volunteers to assigned areas, and keep Volunteer Headquarters organized.
Sign up here!
Registration Now Open For The 4th Annual Silent Auction at #CDM2019!
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is proud to present a unique fundraising opportunity for nonprofit organizations. We invite up to 15 participants to decorate 6-8 foot cut trees** that will be displayed during the market and sold via a silent auction. The organization that decorates the tree will receive 100% of the profits earned from Des Moines European Heritage Association following the event.
Individual organizations are responsible for all tree decorations, and all items used on the tree will be given to the winning bidder. We encourage decorations that are able to withstand the temperamental Iowa weather (snow, sleet, rain, and/or wind). The trees remain outside for the duration of Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Relocating Christkindlmarket Des Moines to Principal Park this year has afforded us the opportunity to make some exciting changes relating to the Silent Auction.
- We will be introducing “der Weihnachtswald,” the Christmas Forest. The Forest will house the Silent Auction trees along with our wooden Christmas tree tables to stand around and enjoy food and drinks. All of these items will be covered by an open sided tent to provide a bit of shelter from any seasonal precipitation.
- We will also be able to feature our Silent Auction trees and open bids on Thursday evening during the private, ticketed preview party “’Twas the Night Before #CDM2019.”
We will once again be using off-site bidding technology to garner bids and use i-Pads on site to help interested bidders register. Minimum bids will start at $60 and increase in increments of $10. Organizations will be asked to decorate their tree on Wednesday, December 4th. Bidding will begin Thursday night, December 5th, at 5pm and close Sunday, December 8th, at 3pm.
Please use this link to register your nonprofit organization as a participant at the Chistkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction tree decorating. Once the form has been submitted, additional information will be sent via email.
If you have any questions, contact Missy Mootz at [email protected].
** Cut trees are not perfect and will have a tendency to lean. We have upgraded our stands this year to help with leaning, but they will not always allow for the optimal display of the tree. We will present the trees in the most positive way given our circumstances. Please manage your expectations accordingly.