Category Archive Sponsors

We are pleased to announce that Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino is a Vendor Stall Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016! Their generous donation will help fund wooden vendor stalls—a must-have for a traditional European-style Christmas market.

Prairie Meadows is Iowa’s premier spot to watch horse racing and play a round of blackjack. Make a night of it and stay for free live music (see their event calendar) and good eats. Choose from fine dining establishments and low-key cafes. There’s something for everyone. The hardest part is deciding which horse to bet on.

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.

Thank you to Iowa Sister States for becoming a Gold Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016!

Iowa Sister States is a non-profit organization with a mission we love: to grow Iowa’s relationships with our nine sister cities and regions around the world. The group, made up of mostly volunteers, organizes exchange programs and scholarships for Iowans to visit or study in our sister states, such as Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan and Veneto Region, Italy. Locals from those regions can experience life (and college) here, too. The organization also offers programs to educate Iowans about international farming, business, culture, and more.

Want to get involved? Volunteer to host foreign exchange students, translate, or transport visitors.

“People-to-people exchanges change the world by changing one person at a time.” – iowasisterstates.org

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.

We are excited to announce that The Travel Center, Ltd is a Silver Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016!

Need help planning your next family vacay, couple’s retreat, or girlfriend getaway? The Travel Center, Ltd. has got you covered. Owner Rick South, Jr. is an expert on Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Asia, and many destinations across the United States. Booking through them takes away the stress of planning, so all you have to do is explore and enjoy.

Check out their current promotions. May we suggest a Viking River Cruise along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers with stops in Holland, Germany, Austria, and more? Sounds like a trip of a lifetime.

To book, call 515-287-3170 or 800-383-4444 or shoot an email to [email protected]. You can also stop in their office at 5805 Fleur Drive Des Moines. Happy travels!

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.

We’re pleased to have Vom Fass Des Moines as a Bronze Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016.

Vom Fass Des Moines is locally owned and managed by Melissa Bartholomew and offers exclusive cask-aged vinegars, exquisite oils, unique spirits and liqueurs direct from the cask, as well as select wines. The shop opened March 2012 and is centrally located in Des Moines in The Shops at Roosevelt at 833 42nd St., with easy access off I235. Check out their Virtual Tour then stop in and take a the real tour — sampling included!

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.

Christkindlmarket Des Moines is excited to welcome Ankeny Auto Body 1 as a vendor stall sponsor.

Since 1978, Ankeny Auto Body 1 has provided its customers with friendly, expert collision repair service. As a family-owned enterprise, Ankeny Auto Body 1 has consistently adhered to its mission and values, positioning the business as one of the most respected collision repair centers in Iowa.

A commitment to quality and safety make Ankeny Auto Body 1 the collision repair center of choice for fleet and personal vehicles. The use of cutting-edge technology is present in all collision repairs and Ankeny Auto Body 1 guarantees its work with a lifetime warranty.

Thank you for your support!

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.

We’re pleased to announce that Action Electric has come on board as a Platinum Sponsor!

Christmas markets wouldn’t be the same without the wooden vendor stalls. And the vendor stalls wouldn’t be the same without lights. That’s where Action Electric comes in. They will be installing the electrical in a number of our vendor stalls.

Action Electric has provided quality electrical services in the State of Iowa for both Commercial and Residential customers for over 25 years.

They are a family business, owned and operated by Randy, Lori, and Chad Mease with combined electrical experience of 60 years. As a family business, they realize your time is valuable and strive to honor all set appointment times. Their focus is on customer satisfaction, and they continually strive to deliver fair pricing on all services. They offer:

• Free Estimates
• Senior Discounts
• References
• 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty
• Licensed – Bonded – Insured

As we continue to host fundraising events and get ready to produce the first Christkindlmarket Des Moines, we’re finding a lot of memorable moments along the way. We’re grateful to have Gail’s Photography and Designs to capture those for us as our 2016 Photography Sponsor.

Gail retired from Lifetouch Portrait Studios in June 2014. The next month, she opened her own photography business. Her subjects are usually children and families. She also designs word art that are offered in metal or in print. Her favorite part of her job is seeing families enjoying themselves and capturing moments for them to keep for generations.

Gail has not attended a Christmas market in the past, but she is looking forward to looking at the unique gifts that are offered. Her involvement with Christkindlmarket Des Moines was inspired by her Italian heritage and passion for learning about other cultures.

“I believe that learning about and understanding what other cultures have to offer is essential in our society,” Gail said.

She also encourages people interested in European heritage to get involved with Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines.

“There’s great connections to be made and everyone brings something special to it that only they can give.”

Gail’s photos from our Experience France event at VOM FASS are available on the Des Moines European Heritage Association Facebook page. Take a look to see her great work. You’ll see Gail at all of our 2016 fundraising events as well!

Thank you, Gail, for your support!

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.

Christkindlmarket Des Moines relies on donations to help bring our work to life. We appreciate all our sponsors and donations that come from individuals or are collected at fundraisers.

With that said, wouldn’t it be great if donations could double themselves and have twice the impact? Definitely! That’s why we’re so excited to welcome Stoy Hall and Modern Woodmen of America as out matching sponsor for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016.

Founded in 1833, Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial service organization. They offer life insurance, annuity and investments. In addition to their services, Modern Woodmen of America offers benefits to members through their fraternal programs. Chapters across the nation are able to host events and activities that help them invest in their communities. These include educational and social events, as well as volunteer opportunities. Matching fund programs, like the one supporting Christkindlmarket Des Moines, help the organization get involved in the communities where it operates.

Stoy has been with the organization for five years, including an internship. According to him, finding ways to participate in the community is an important part of being in a fraternal organization. Though he has never attended a Christmas market, he looks forward to having one in Des Moines.

“The ability to do something in the community near Christmas with cultural influences is a no brainer. I have done a lot of research on them and I believe Des Moines will be a great fit for the event, ” he said.

The first event to be matched by Stoy and MWA will be a British High Tea in May. Keep an eye on our Facebook Page and the blog to learn more.

Thank you for your support!

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.

If you’re from Iowa, Kum & Go is probably a familiar name. The convenience chain, headquarter in West Des Moines, has been a part of Iowa communities for more than 55 years. Their commitment to Iowa makes them a perfect fit as a sponsor for the state’s first ever Christmas market. We’re excited to welcome them as a Silver Sponsor for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016!

Kum & Go has a commitment to giving back to the communities where they work. Each year, the company donates 10 percent of their profits to causes they care about. They give charitable gifts, sponsor nonprofit events and partner with nonprofits to create impactful campaigns. Recently, they began fundraising efforts for Habitat for Humanity in their stores.

In addition to their focus on charitable giving, Kum & Go has a focus on arts and culture. This commitment makes them a great connection for Christkindlmarket Des Moines as we work to expand cultural opportunities and education here in Iowa.

Thank you for your support, Kum & Go!

As a grassroots non-profit, Des Moines European Heritage Association serves as a platform to carry on European traditions, support language education and to create cultural awareness. We are a resource for Iowans, immigrants, travel enthusiasts and international business professionals to connect with European cultural heritage and for cultural organizations who want to engage with their members in a cohesive and centralized manner.