Volunteer at Christkindlmarket Des Moines
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) invites you to be a part of something great: The inaugural 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!
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 21 years old when they report for their volunteer shift.
Volunteer shifts range of 2-3 hours and an estimated 400+ volunteers will be needed to make #CDM2016 possible.
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Christkindlmarket Des Moines Setup
Install Christmas trees, assemble signage, hang stringed lights, decorate wooden vendor stalls, etc. **Some lifting may be required**
Vendor Stall Setup
Construct pre-fabricated wooden vendor stalls. **Heavy lifting definitely required**
Vendor Assistant
Help vendors unload their merchandise as well as with vendor set up and tear down.
Vendor Relations
Watch vendor’s booths should they need to take a break.
Waste Removal Elves
Empty the waste receptacles into a large roll-off bin as needed.
DMEHA KinderKorner Booth
Provide a European-centric activity for children. All supplies provided.
DMEHA Information Area
Answer attendee’s questions, provide information on DMEHA, hand out site maps, entertainment schedules, etc.
Programming Stage Volunteer
Assist the Programming site leaders to ensure that performers have arrived, are prepared to take the stage and have what they need to perform.
Arts Project Grant Survey Deployment
Circulate throughout the programming area during performances to deploy a survey to capture attendee demographic information.
ID Checkers
Check the IDs of attendees who would like to drink alcoholic beverages.
Beer Pourers
Work with the Iowa Beer Bus team to serve beer to attendees.
Glühwein Sales
Serve warm, mulled wine from a wooden vendor stall to eager attendees.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Sales
Sell hot chocolate, hot cider, water, etc. to 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**
Vendor Stall Tear Down
Tear down pre-fabricated wooden vendor stalls. **Heavy lifting definitely required**
Volunteer Relations
Greet and check-in volunteers, direct volunteers to assigned areas, and keep Volunteer Headquarters organized.
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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.
Platinum Sponsor | Ingersoll Wine and Spirits
DMEHA is proud to announce the support of Ingersoll Wine & Spirits as a Platinum sponsor. Ingersoll Wine & Spirits is a locally-owned and family operated business that has been around the Des Moines area for 19 years. Due to their success, Ingersoll Wine & Spirits opened their second store in October of 2001 and continues to commit their business to providing their customers with “quality products at a reasonable price.”
In addition to being a Platinum sponsor for Christkindlmarket Des Moines, Ingersoll Wine & Spirits is providing the Glühwein for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016. Glühwein is a traditional German red wine that is heated, flavored with seasonal spices such as cinnamon sticks, orange juice, cloves, zest, and sugar.
Thank you Ingersoll Wine & Spirits for being a Platinum sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines and we look forward to their support for the first annual event.
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.
Follow-up from The World Food and Music Festival
Thank you to all who attended the Des Moines World Food and Music Festival and came to visit the Des Moines European Heritage Association booth. The festival was filled with food, friends, and families, and provided DMEHA and Christkindlmarket a way to get more of the public aware of our upcoming events and activities.
We had several wonderful volunteers manning the booth and passing out our informational sheets for CDM and DMEHA. Volunteers helped children make Christmas ornaments as our gift to them and we received feedback and talked to interested parties in either coming to the festival or getting our monthly newsletter. Thank you once again to everyone who attended and helped make it such a success.
Silver Sponsor | Sons of Norway
We’re pleased to announce that the Sons of Norway are a Silver Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines!
“The Sons of Norway was organized as a fraternal benefit society by 18 Norwegian immigrants in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 16, 1895. The purposes and goals of the Founders were to protect members of Sons of Norway and their families during financial hardships when there was sickness or death in the family. Over the years, the mission of Sons of Norway has expanded to include the preservation of Norwegian heritage and culture in American society. They are now the largest Norwegian organization outside Norway.” (Sons of Norway)
Thank you for your support!
Glühwein Mug Design Unveiled
For Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016, German designer Sabine Voigt, has crafted a Christmas-themed design for our Glühwein mug. Voigt studied in Dusseldorf, Germany and San Diego, CA, graduating as a graphic designer. Previously she has worked for companies such as Rolling Stone Magazine, Cologne Cathedral Christmas market, Kölner Bank, and many others, as well as designing a variety of mugs for Christmas markets around the world. Voigt has been awarded 1st place in the Charlie Hebdo Cart Competition, awards in the International Cartoon contest, the European Cartoon contest, and a variety of other awards and decorations. Her work has been presented in Portugal, Germany, America, Spain, and other countries world wide for its colorful and youthful appearance.
DMEHA is excited to have the opportunity to further display her work by using the design featured below on our 2016 Glühwein mug. Guarantee your Glühwein mug this year by making a donation of $25 or more to Des Moines European Heritage Association.
DMEHA will be ordering a fixed quantity of Glühwein mugs and would like to ensure supporters are guaranteed this keepsake collectors item – especially from the inaugural event.
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.
Suzanne Hull Presents at Rotary Club of Des Moines AM
Suzanne Hull, the Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Board President, had the pleasure of speaking to the Rotary Club of Des Moines AM. If your networking group, church group, neighborhood association, etc. would like a member of our organization to visit to talk about DMEHA and Christkindlmarket Des Moines, please let us know!
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.
Afternoon Tea Along the River
Take afternoon tea like a Londoner here in Des Moines on Sunday, September 25 from 1-3 pm! The inaugural Afternoon Tea Along the River is a British tea event in an elegant setting with views of the Des Moines River from the Principal Riverwalk Hub Spot Park. Tickets are $35 each, including ticketing fees. When purchasing your ticket, add a glass of French sparkling wine for $11. Gather your friends and don your fancy hats for a memorable afternoon!
Purchase your tickets now!
At the event, loose-leaf British teas provided by Gong Fu Tea and finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and petite desserts by Trellis Catering will be served. Vintage dishware supplied by Vintage Love, Rentals & annessi and lovely, live violin music will set the mood and send you on a trip to a traditional British High tea. There will also be a contest for the best hat or fascinator (decorative headpiece commonly worn by Brits), as well as a silent auction.
When booking, please indicate the names of all guests in your party so that we can do our best to seat you together. Parties of two will be seated with other guests. Please indicate dietary restrictions when purchasing your ticket; we will do our best to accomondate your needs.
If you have questions, please email [email protected].
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.
DMEHA Receives Polk County Board of Supervisors Community Betterment Grant
DMEHA was awarded the Community Betterment Grant Award on August 2, 2016, by the Polk County Board of Supervisors and is happy to have their support. The Polk County Board of Supervisors offers this unique funding opportunity to community service organizations throughout Polk County. The Polk County Community Betterment Grant Program was designed to provide financial support to non-profit organizations that provide cultural, recreational, educational, and human needs services to citizens. Polk County has a rich history of partnering with public and private entities to provide effective programs and services to the community.
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.
Meet Rebecca Banger, DMEHA Intern!
Rebecca Banger is currently a second year student at Drake University, studying Advertising and Public Relations with emphasis in design. She will be a graduate of Drake’s class of 2018 and hopes to work in PR in Des Moines. Banger is from small-town, Farmington, Missouri, and is actively involved on campus and around Des Moines.
Banger decided to get involved with the Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines planning as she is very interested in the culture of Des Moines and the European influence on the city of Des Moines. It is Banger’s dream to experience as much culture as she can and everything else the world has to offer. Banger plans on accomplishing this goal by learning about European culture and hopefully traveling in the future.
DMEHA at Young Professionals Connection Volunteer Fair
Join us at the 11th annual Young Professionals Connection Volunteer fair Thursday, August 18 from 4-8.
The YPC Volunteer Fair connects greater Des Moines residents of all ages and interests with over 70 non-profit organizations that are searching for volunteers and support. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with a diverse selection of organizations on ways to get involved. DMEHA is looking for volunteers to come and tend the booth and show the residents of Des Moines exactly what DMEHA is all about!
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.