Behind the Scenes!

What Happens Behind the Scenes with the German Dinner?

This year marked the 44th annual German Dinner, the biggest fundraiser that Immanuel hosts, with all proceeds supporting Noah’s Ark Preschool. It’s a big production, and it’s incredible how smoothly everything runs after so many years of dedication and experience!

Let’s take a look at all the preparation and teamwork that went into making this year’s German Dinner a success! From organizing donations and setting up the space to prepping ingredients and coordinating volunteers, each day leading up to the event was filled with activity and dedication.

The journey to our German Dinner begins!

Preparation for the German Dinner starts as early as September with initial planning meetings. By October, we’re busy gathering donations, organizing volunteers, and arranging every detail to ensure the event is a success. Throughout the month, we coordinate food donations, sell tickets, and finalize all preparations. It’s truly a month of hard work and dedication from our entire church members!

Thursday before the German Dinner:
- With only a few days left, a few volunteers come in to kick off the first big steps in food preparation. Potatoes are boiled and set aside, ready to be peeled, while they begin cooking the carrots. Food donations are also starting to come in, adding to the excitement as we prepare for the big day!
Friday is when the real action begins:
- The volunteers come together to peel potatoes for the German potato salad and fry up the bacon, filling five large roasters by the end of the day! They also finish prepping the carrots, adding another five roasters full. It’s a big task, but the teamwork and dedication ensure everything comes together smoothly. Each roaster brings us one step closer to a successful dinner!
Saturday brings even more action as preparations continue!
- This is a big day for preparations as we focus on making the sauce for the German potato salad, preparing the glaze for the carrots, and mixing up the meatballs. Volunteers work tirelessly, rolling out each meatball with care before placing them in the oven for browning. Desserts donated by generous members of Immanuel are also arriving. It’s a whirlwind of activity, but every effort contributes to the delicious feast that awaits our guests!
The Day is finally here!
- All the hard work and preparation have led up to this moment, and excitement fills the air. Volunteers are ready to welcome guests, serve delicious meals, and create a memorable experience for everyone attending. Let’s make this event one to remember!
- While the church is in session, more potatoes are being boiled to be mashed, gravy is being prepared, and sauerkraut is being mixed with pork. Meanwhile, desserts are being cut and placed into containers. The hustle and bustle continue as volunteers work diligently behind the scenes to ensure everything is ready for our guests!
So it Begins!
- The kitchen is bustling with activity as volunteers take tickets, dish out meals, cleaning up after every shift, and running food up to the drive-thru. It’s a well-coordinated effort, and everyone is focused on providing a smooth experience for our guests while ensuring that everything stays organized and running efficiently!
- We SOLD OUT 400 tickets, making it a highly successful day! The hard work and dedication of our volunteers truly paid off, and we are grateful for the support from our community. It’s a wonderful feeling to see our efforts come together for such a fantastic event!

Thanks!

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Al, Karen Buckentin, and Kathy Nordby for their leadership in organizing the German Dinner and ensuring everything went smoothly. A special shoutout to all who donated food items; most of the needs were filled, which made a significant difference. Most importantly, thank you to all the volunteers who helped in any way—without your support, this event could not have been possible! Additionally, a huge thank you to everyone who purchased tickets to the German Dinner; without your support, this event would not have been so successful!

In Closing!

It may have been a crazy and busy month of October here at Immanuel, but it was all worth it. Supporting Noah’s Ark Preschool is truly a worthwhile cause, and we are grateful for everyone’s efforts and contributions!