2022 GCAR Good Neighbor Award
Sandy Nardoci, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Blake, REALTORS®
As a not-for-profit, the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS® understands the importance of garnering community support through monetary means and volunteers who contribute their time and effort towards the goals of the many organizations throughout the Capital Region. To recognize these organizations and the individuals who work for and with them, GCAR instituted a Good Neighbor Award program in 2019, a local program to recognize a GCAR member who is making an extraordinary impact through community service. Sandy Nardoci, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Blake, REALTORS® has been selected as the 2022 GCAR Good Neighbor.
Sandy is a co-founder and lead volunteer for the Capital District YMCA’s Circle of Champs, she has spent 30 years dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic, life-threatening illnesses.
Circle of Champs is a non-profit charity that provides monthly activities for families of children with life-threatening illnesses. The program also provides holiday parties, picnics, and summer camps for siblings and the sick child if they can attend. Over the last 30 years, Circle of Champs has served approximately 50-100 families per year and continues to grow.
Sandy’s eagerness to help those in need does not stop at Circle of Champs. She also founded the “Voices of Hope of the Capital District”. The Voices mission is to bring local charities together “bringing hope and services to children and families touched by life-altering conditions”. Some of the groups involved are the Circle of Champs, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House. A program that was formed called Rails to Recovery was a collaborative mission along with Amtrak and the NYS Department of Transportation. This allows patients who are receiving or seeking treatment within New York State a free fare when another companion ticket is purchased. Sandy recognized the hardship families had with travel, separation, and expense when treatment wasn’t local. Sandy’s vision, leadership, hard work, and coordination in this effort made it possible. Rails to Recovery has facilitated more than 1,000 trips since 2014.
Sandy has had an extraordinary impact on our community. Her traits of intelligence, honesty, compassion, and sincerity have made her a role model to fellow REALTORS®, business associates, and friends.
