Sarah Chardavoyne’s Volunteer Work Has Made Her Part of the Team at the Helen Kaplan Center
At the Helen Kaplan Center Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) in Plainview, documents pile up in the administrative office. Because of the sensitive information, the paper cannot be simply thrown out or left outside for recycling. Every piece of paper needs to be shredded.
That’s where Sarah Chardavoyne, who resides at the Pickwick Drive residence in Syosset, comes in. For 13 years and counting, Sarah arrives at the Administrative Office in Plainview twice a week to shred all the paper that the office team needs shredded.
When asked what she enjoys most about coming twice a week, Sarah said “the paperwork.” However, she isn’t too fond of the sound the shredder makes, which is why she plays music sometimes.
Sarah also likes to see all the members of the office, including Renee D’avanzo and Valerie Himberger.
“We wouldn’t be able to do it without her,” Renee said. “She’s so helpful. It’s busy around here and we need this position.”
For Sarah, the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie is important. Paula Chardavoyne, Sarah’s mom, shared, “(Sarah) always talk(s) about Plainview and the office gang.”
In September, the office hosted a birthday party to celebrate Sarah’s 40th with cake, balloons, and decorations. Sarah’s hard work on shredding all the papers makes her the “Shredding Queen,” as told by the shirt she wore to the birthday party.
Sarah does her volunteer work on Mondays and Fridays with Meredith Weinstein from Independent Support Services (ISS), first stopping for a coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. Sarah’s order is the pumpkin spiced latte with the Dunkin’ Donuts card that she pays for.
“It’s a sense of accomplishment,” Paula said. “It’s a sense of being a part of a group, of being wanted, of knowing that she’s doing something very important for the ladies in the office.”
On Mondays, Sarah often brings lunch with her to eat when she takes a break during shredding. And on Fridays, Sarah gets her weekly treat from McDonald’s: chicken nuggets, french fries, honey mustard, and ice cream.
“I like to go to McDonald’s with Meredith,” Sarah said, adding that she always asks for the receipt. Outside of work, Sarah collects bracelets that she receives as gifts or makes herself. She also enjoys spending time with her roommates at Pickwick, occasionally going on adventures like the Renaissance Fair in Tuxedo, NY, or seeing plays at local theatre.