" I met some of the most wonderful people, and their stories I will never forget."
She smiled as she thought of the gratitude that so many showed while they faced the worst time of their lives.
" It ' s the most fulfilling thing I ' ve ever done."
Nicholson ' s dedication in times of trouble has not gone unrecognized. In August 2025, she was selected as the Laurel County Homecoming ' s Woman of the Year, sn award that celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to assist and promote the Laurel community. Nicholson was honored with that recognition, but remained humble in that she was only doing what was necessary to help those in need after a devastating experience.
This, after years of working for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the Food Stamp Division, several years working at
the London-Laurel Tourist Commission, is another facet of Nicholson ' s desire to help others. She ' s worked with children and adults, she ' s driven a church bus, and she ' s a mother and grandmother. Her role as director of the United Way is exemplified by her work history as well as her family history.
Nicholson became director of the United Aid in 2002, which changed to become the United Way of Laurel County. For years the organization sponsored the United Way auction which was televised on a local TV channel. Community leaders volunteered as auctioneers, telephone operators, and " runners " who kept items organized for the next bid. Businesses and individuals donated items for the 3-day auction that was also broadcast live on WFTG-AM radio.
" That was our biggest
Judy Nicholson shares a word with Laurel County Judge Executive David Westerfield.
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman stands with Judge Westerfield. fundraiser for many years but we decided to take a break because so many other organizations started doing the live auctions," she said. " The board and I have talked about bringing it back. It was a lot of fun and now we could have it live on Facebook, which we didn ' t have back then."
Although that was the United Way ' s primary fundraiser, it was the accessory that funded many local organizations throughout the year.
" We did the Adult Literacy program for years," Nicholson said. " We donate to North and South Little League, Crime Stoppers and other organizations."
Over the years, the format has changed- the organization has spread its wings to include the Summer Feeding Program, Shop With a Cop, Community Thanksgiving, Laurel County Shriners, Parkinson in Motion, Walk to End Alzheimers, Henry( Barney) Paslick Technology Scholarship and North Laurel FFA Alumni. The United Way of Laurel County has also aided with construction of wheel chair ramps and inkind donation to The Laurel County Life Center and White Flag Ministries.
" Most people just think of the United Way as a disaster relief- and we are- but we also operate year-round to help other organizations," she said. " We have a board that oversees the funds and I just operate it from home. But we ' re here the whole year."
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