The Spirit of Pella has announced a new Board of Directors. The non-profit charged to enrich and expand Pella’s amenities, attractions, traditions, and experiences for residents and visitors launched in 2021, sharing its founding Board of Directors with the Pella Area Community & Economic (PACE) Alliance.

“We are beyond thankful for the guidance, support, and belief in our mission that the PACE Alliance board gave Spirit of Pella while we got our feet under us and established our presence in Pella,” said board president Christi Vander Voort.

In addition to Vander Voort, the organization’s new Board of Directors includes vice president Jason Bandstra, treasurer Roger DeWaard, secretary Eric Sickler, Aaron Smith, Dave Sutphen, Ryan Vos, Teri Vos, Lisa Jaarsma Zylstra, and Bob Zylstra.

“Our Board of Directors is a dedicated team of proven community leaders who are committed to preserving our heritage and strengthening Pella’s unique public life, assets, and culture,” said Vander Voort. “We are excited to tap their talent, expertise, and energy to further our mission.”

“Pella founder Dominie H.P. Scholte is celebrated as an innovator and advocate who championed a vision to create a vibrant community where all people could build their lives. Today that same ‘Scholte Spirit’ inspires and guides the work of the Spirit of Pella organization as we activate innovation while honoring our community’s rich heritage through interactive art, public gathering spaces, a magical holiday season, and special events,” Vander Voort shared.

Through fundraising with local donors, Spirit of Pella has helped to expand Pella’s downtown holiday lights, assisted with providing vendor huts for Kerstmarkt and, most recently, spearheaded an original mural tribute to traditional Dutch Staphorst nail-head painting on the wall between The Brew and Marion County Bank. The group’s future goals include more murals and public art projects, collaborations with the City of Pella to enhance the Klokkenspel Plaza and the Molengracht Courtyard, and a variety of other projects proposed in its strategic plan.

To learn more about and donate to Spirit of Pella, visit www.spiritofpella.org. Like and follow Spirit of Pella on Facebook at www.facebook.com/spiritofpella