The Audubon Area Chamber of Commerce held its “Celebrate Audubon” awards program and banquet, Saturday night. During the dinner and awards show at the St. Patrick’s Parish Center, awards were presented to Dan Madsen, for 2018 “Citizen of the Year,” and Grace Christensen, 2018 “Junior Citizen of the Year.”

In announcing Dan Madsen as their Citizen of the Year, the Chamber said he keeps very busy running his farm that features crop and livestock, as well as always finding time to help the community. Madsen: Is a member of the Audubon County Fair Board; serves on the Cattleman’s and T-Bone Committees; volunteers to coach the Warriors Football team, and is President of the church council at Our Saviour’s  Lutheran Church, and serves hundreds of people a warm meal at church every year, on Christmas morning.  His faith compels him to make sure future generations know the importance of having a strong faith. Madsen is also “A silent hero by donating food to businesses for children and the elderly.” It was also noted that he paid expenses for the less fortunate, or for those in a time of need. Madsen, they said “Will go out of his way to help a neighbor regardless of the sacrifices he has to make.”

As 2018 Junior Citizen of the Year, the Audubon Chamber of Commerce noted Grace Christensen is very active in volunteering, community service, school and church activities. During a recent volunteer FFA visit to Haiti, she and seven other members of the organization, along with their sponsor Joe and Brittany Elmquist, built Sukup Safe-T-Homes, volunteered at an orphanage, and worked with Haitians, in teaching them garden plots, small animal production, waste management and food safety. In the past also, Grace has passed out sack lunches for Farmer Appreciation, packaged Meals for the Heartland and Adopt a Family, shopping.

As a member of the National Honor Society, Grace Christensen has helped with community clean-up and the Red Cross Blood Drive. In the Student Senate, she helped serve a Project 60 Dinner and the Veteran’s Day Dinner. She plays her saxophone at the Friendship Home for the residents, sings at her church, and helps with the Christmas play. Christensen has been a class officer every year in high school, and currently serves as the Student Senate President, and FFA Chapter Secretary. She’s active in her 4-H Club and in sports, and is a straight-A student. She was recently selected to be part of the All-State Band in Ames. After graduating this Spring, Grace Christensen will attend ISU. Grace is the daughter of Jason and Tracie Christensen. She has two sisters, Clare and Sophie.