TAMA — Started in 1982, the Tama Citizen of the Year award is presented to a resident who has contributed positively to the greater community. This year, that honor was bestowed on Karen Mixdorf.

On Friday night inside the fire station, Eric Haughey spoke of the award and its importance.

“I think it’s really important to recognize special people in the community because it takes special people to bring everyone together and keep the community strong,” he said.

Haughey moved to reading out some of Mixdorf’s traits and qualities from several nominations that lead to her winning the award.

“She had plenty of nominations and boy were they lengthy. She does a lot of stuff,” he said with a laugh.

Listed throughout the seven nomination letters Mixdorf received, her accomplishments and involvements include:

• 35 years in education

• Working as the secretary at Living Faith United Methodist Church

• Volunteering with the Mobile Food Pantry

• Her extensive work with the Tama County Food Pantry board,

• The area Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

• Holding a board position with the Kiwanis club

• Her work with the American Association of University Women, and

• Being a strong leader with the Hometown Action Team and getting the Safe Routes to School project off the ground.

In another lighthearted moment, Haughey joked about when Mixdorf was serving as the dean of students at STC Middle School, referring back to an office interaction between a young Haughey and Mixdorf. Nodding her head and reminiscing, Karen remembered that moment and laughed with the crowd.

In her address, which Mixdorf admitted afterwards she was nervous about, she extended her gratitude.

“I’m really grateful that my friends and neighbors considered me worthy of this honor. It’s really nice to receive. Even though I get to take the plaque home, there’s a lot of people in this room who stand right next to me as I do this different work, they should be awarded as well,” she said.

Mixdorf thanked the Tama fire and EMS workers, expressing gratitude for their assistance with the mobile food pantry that happens once a month at the Living Faith United Methodist Church and inside the firebays during the winter months.

In Shelly Riley’s nomination letter, she brought up Mixdorf’s knack for humor in life, something that was on full display during her acceptance speech as she closed with a joke to continue using her platform for the betterment of the community.

“If you would like to donate to the sidewalk project, I will gladly take your check tonight!” she exclaimed.

Through humor, support, and a bit of effort, Mixdorf looks to better the world around her throughout her everyday life.