Pitching in across Columbia County

(ST. HELENS) — It’s hard to keep track of Judy Thompson, a mainstay in St. Helens.

If you don’t see her volunteering for the St. Helens Kiwanis or the National Alliance on Mental Illness, you’ll likely see her acting as an ambassador for the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

The St. Helens resident moved to Columbia County around 1980 and worked as an armed guard at the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant in Rainier.

“So, I had to carry a gun and wear man’s pants,” Thomson chuckled. “I was there for 13 years … I got to meet people from all around the world.”

Because of Trojan, Thompson was able to go back to school at age 40 and become an ophthalmic (eye) technician. She has worked at Legacy Health for nearly 25 years.

Long settled in St. Helens, Thompson said her son's health inspired her to become involved with NAMI.

“My adult son became ill in 1999, and that was when I became involved with NAMI,” she said, noting that she is chairperson of the board for Columbia County. “NAMI kind of saved our family and kept us intact. A lot of families don’t endure all the challenges of mental illness that happen.”

Thompson is also proud of her association with the St. Helens Kiwanis Club, including her work on the board and related community events.

“The Kiwanis is an amazing organization that is dedicated to children,” she said. “... It’s so important to foster our youth.”

On the more jovial side, Thompson's work on events with Kiwanis is a highlight of her volunteerism.

“We’ve done the parade,” she said of her work with Kiwanis. “We brought the parade back from COVID, so this was our third year doing the parade.”

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to plan a significant birthday celebration for Kiwanis.

“We are now looking at, in 2026, doing the 100-year centennial celebration for St. Helens Kiwanis, so we are starting to form committees to look at that. I’ll be part of that,” she said.

Thompson also volunteers as an ambassador to the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, which she says helps her connect to the community and community events.

“They need manpower, events need manpower,” she said. “If I can pitch in, I will. That’s kind of the primary support — just wanting our businesses to be happy, be able to survive and have that appreciation that they need, as well. It’s all connected.”

Based on votes cast by chamber members, Thompson was listed as a final nominee for 2023 Citizen of the Year and 2022 Commerce Advocate of the Year.

Jak Massey, outreach director for the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, said of Thompson: “Judy’s dedication to our local communities and nonprofit organizations is inspiring.”

Massey continued, “If you have lived in the area for some time and been involved in community activities, you have probably met Judy somewhere along the way.”

At the chamber, “we can count on Judy to gather donations for our raffle and auction items, volunteer with tasks to ensure the success of our events,” Massey said.

Thompson looks back at all her efforts, saying she is pleased with helping out where she can.

“It has given me purpose because I can help make lives better,” Thompson said. “Humor is a must in our lives … I just want people to be kind, be nice to one another.”