celebration – Vamos Impact https://vamosimpact.org Moving Ideas into Action. Turning Action into Impact. Wed, 23 Sep 2026 01:15:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://vamosimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Vamos-Impact-avatar-browser-150x150.webp celebration – Vamos Impact https://vamosimpact.org 32 32 Vamos Impact Charity Fundraiser 2026 & Fair Trade Global Market https://vamosimpact.org/workshop/vamos-impact-charity-fundraiser-2026-global-market/ Sat, 21 Nov 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://vamosimpact.org/workshop/vamos-impact-charity-fundraiser-2026-global-market/ A Registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit (EIN: 39-3851393) Free Public Admission Community Goal: $100,000 Welcome to the official Vamos Impact Charity Fundraiser 2026 and Fair Trade Global Market celebration! Taking place across […]

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A Registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit (EIN: 39-3851393)
Free Public Admission
Community Goal: $100,000

Welcome to the official Vamos Impact Charity Fundraiser 2026 and Fair Trade Global Market celebration! Taking place across two vibrant days on November 21 & 22, 2026 at Luther Hall in Excelsior, Minnesota, this signature annual gathering brings families, entrepreneurs, local partners, and community advocates together to celebrate culture, empower small businesses, and open life-changing pathways for Latino youth.

Admission is completely free to the general public. Whether you come to shop one-of-a-kind handcrafted alpaca knitwear and artisan goods at our Fair Trade Global Market, marvel at live traditional Peruvian dance showcases, capture memorable family photos with live outdoor llamas, or bid on exceptional packages in our silent auction, your presence fuels generational wealth and educational equity across Carver County and Minnesota.

At-A-Glance Event Information

Dates & Days

Saturday, Nov 21, 2026
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday, Nov 22, 2026
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Venue & Location

Luther Hall
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
301 County Rd 19
Excelsior, MN 55331

Admission & Access

100% Free Public Entry
Family-Friendly & Accessible
Free Parking on Site
Open to All Ages

Community Purpose

$100,000 Campaign Goal
100% Proceeds Power Youth Scholarships & Latino Entrepreneur Technical Assistance

How You Can Participate & Support

Whether you plan to attend in person, join our energetic volunteer crew, partner as a corporate sponsor, or donate auction lots, your active involvement creates lasting generational change.

1. RSVP & Attend

Join the community celebration, enjoy live cultural dances, browse the market, and participate in our family photo activities. Entry is free!

View Event & Updates

2. Volunteer With Us

Lend a hand with hospitality, café station, outdoor llama photo line, artisan booth support, or silent auction table closeout.

Sign Up to Volunteer

3. Event Sponsorship

Elevate your company brand while making measurable impact through our Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Community Partner tiers.

Explore Sponsorships

4. Silent Auction & Gifts

Contribute gift baskets, vacation getaways, or products to our auction, or make a tax-deductible charitable gift online.

Donate to Auction / Impact

Full Two-Day Festival Program & Hourly Schedule

Plan your weekend visit to Luther Hall. Each day offers special activities, culinary treats, and artisan shopping:

🎉 Saturday, November 21, 2026: Festival & Charity Fundraiser (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

  • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Fair Trade Global Market & Café Station Opens: Browse imported handmade Peruvian alpaca scarves, accessories, and organic specialty coffees. Interactive “Wall of Love” community board opens.
  • 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Outdoor Live Llama Photos: Meet friendly llamas outdoors on the Luther Hall grounds! A beloved, family-favorite photo experience for kids and parents.
  • 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM: Hot Lunch Menu & Cocoa Bar: Savor hot artisan sandwiches, warm comforting soups, fresh pastries, and custom cocoa bar treats.
  • 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: Dignitary Welcome & Keynote Address: Opening reflections and mission overview by Vamos Impact Executive Director Juan Llerena, with remarks from community leaders.
  • 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM: Community Panel & Scholarship Recipient Spotlight: Inspiring firsthand testimonies from Carver County Latino small business owners and high school scholarship graduates.
  • 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Live Peruvian Cultural Dance Showcase: High-energy traditional folklore dance performance in the center of Luther Hall with interactive rhythm participation.
  • 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Live Giving Appeal & Fund-a-Workshop: Fast-paced giving drive with $100 and $250 pledge tiers directly supporting bilingual business bootcamps.
  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Silent Auction Closeout & Golden Ticket Raffle: Final bids placed at 4:15 PM. 5:00 PM grand prize drawing for the coveted Peruvian Dinner experience.

🛍️ Sunday, November 22, 2026: Fair Trade Holiday Market (8:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

  • 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Early Morning Artisan Shopping: Perfect timing for churchgoers and weekend shoppers to find meaningful, fair-trade holiday gifts that give back.
  • Live Acoustic Music & Artisan Stories: Enjoy gentle acoustic music and video displays introducing the indigenous weaving cooperatives and families supported in Peru.
  • Fresh Café Beverages & Pastries: Freshly brewed single-origin coffee, hot tea, and packaged baked goods available all morning.

Vamos Impact Charity Fundraiser 2026: Highlights & Activities

🦙 Outdoor Live Llama Photos

Snap cherished family portraits and selfies with gentle, photogenic live llamas right outside Luther Hall on Saturday between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Keynote and Community Panel

Together we will explore the contributions of Latinos to the local economy and local communities. We will learn more about the impact of Metro Surge Operation in MN.

🎁 Fair Trade Global Market

Shop ethically produced, fair trade winter knitwear, alpaca throws, handwoven accessories, and gourmet organic coffee just in time for holiday gifting.

🏆 Silent Auction & Raffles

Bid on curated restaurant packages, wellness getaways, and themed gift baskets, or purchase a Golden Ticket for a private gourmet dining experience.

☕ Cocoa Bar & Lunch Café

Warm up with handcrafted hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffees, warm soups, and hot specialty sandwiches prepared by local culinary partners.

❤️ Wall of Love Community Gratitude

Leave heartfelt messages, celebrate local business owners, and dedicate encouragement cards to incoming college scholarship winners.

Where Your Contributions Go: 100% Proceeds to Impact

Every dollar raised during the Vamos Impact Charity Fundraiser 2026 directly fuels three core programmatic pillars operated by Vamos Impact (EIN: 39-3851393):

  • De la Idea a la Acción Technical Assistance: Providing practical, bilingual 1-on-1 business coaching, bookkeeping systems, digital marketing setups, and financial literacy workshops to immigrant and minority small business owners.
  • The Vamos! Scholarship Fund: Awarding debt-free college transition grants, mentoring, and emergency tuition stipends to hardworking Latino high school graduates throughout Carver County.
  • Fair Trade Global Market Access: Facilitating direct commercial channels for indigenous craftspeople in the Andes, ensuring fair wages, dignified labor, and family sustainability.

“When you empower an entrepreneur or fund a student’s college journey, you do not just transform one individual—you uplift an entire family and strengthen our whole Minnesota community.” — Juan Llerena, Executive Director

Location, Directions & Parking Information

The event will be hosted indoors at Luther Hall on the campus of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, conveniently located at 301 County Rd 19, Excelsior, MN 55331.

  • Parking: Ample free paved parking is available on both the east and west sides of the church facility. Designated accessible parking spots are directly adjacent to the main Luther Hall entrance.
  • Accessibility: Luther Hall is ground-level, fully ADA wheelchair accessible, with automated doors, flat interior walkways, and accessible restrooms.
  • From the Twin Cities Metro: Follow MN-7 West towards Shorewood/Excelsior, turn south onto County Road 19, and Mount Calvary will be situated on your right.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is admission really free to attend the Vamos Impact Charity Fundraiser 2026?

Yes! General admission to Luther Hall across both Saturday and Sunday is 100% free to the public. You can enjoy the cultural dance showcase, live music, community panel, and browse the market without purchasing a ticket.

When can children and families take pictures with the live llamas?

Outdoor live llama photos take place on Saturday, November 21 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the grounds outside Luther Hall. This activity is free and family-friendly!

How can businesses become corporate sponsors for the event?

We welcome local and regional businesses to partner in impact! Learn about Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Community sponsorship tiers on our 2026 Event Sponsorship Opportunities page or email our team at info@vamosimpact.org.

How can I donate an item or experience to the silent auction?

We gratefully accept gift certificates, artwork, merchandise, and travel experiences for our silent auction. Please visit our Donate & Support page or Contact Us to arrange an auction item drop-off or pickup.

How do I sign up to volunteer during the festival weekend?

We have volunteer opportunities for greeting guests, helping at the café and cocoa bar, assisting with llama line coordination, and managing the auction tables. Sign up directly via our Volunteer Application Form.

Are monetary donations and auction contributions tax-deductible?

Yes. Vamos Impact is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 39-3851393). All charitable contributions and eligible portions of auction donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

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