Press Release | 14th Annual Dancing With The ARK's Stars

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Local Families Living with Alzheimer’s or Related Dementia to benefit from the

14th Annual Dancing with the ARK Stars Competition

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – The ARK of South Carolina will host its 14th annual Dancing with The ARK’s Stars fundraising event on May 11, 2024. A professional pilot, a principal and editor are among the local personalities trading their day jobs for dancing shoes to raise money for Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. The fundraiser, which pairs local personalities with professional dancers, will take place at Lowcountry Conference Center Summerville Hilton, 406 Sigma Dr., at 7 p.m. Tickets for the in-person event are selling out fast!

“We are so grateful to the dancers who take time away from their jobs, families, and personal time to help raise funds for The ARK of SC’s vital services in the Charleston area,” said Peg Lahmeyer, executive director of The ARK. “This event is integral to our fundraising success and allows us to help even more families as they care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.”

Tickets are $95 each or $180 per couple in advance and will increase at the door. General admission tickets include an open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, dancing, and a silent auction bidder number. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cocktail attire is requested. Reserve your tickets online. There are many sponsorship levels that are tailored to meet the needs of all supporters. Contact events@thearkofsc.org or call 843-471-1360.

Proceeds from this premier fundraiser support the many programs of The ARK, which provides essential services for families with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. The ARK offers respite care, support groups, caregiver consultation, caregiver education workshops, resource referrals, law enforcement and first responder training, community learning programs, and rural services development. The organization serves five counties: Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, and Orangeburg.

Each dancer is teamed up with a professional dance partner, and the dancing duos will perform at the event for a chance to win one of two titles: the Judge’s Award or the People’s Choice Award, voted on by the audience.

The 2024 dancers include:

Alison Waring, Assistant Principal, Newington Elementary School, DD2
April Aldrich, Owner, Must BEE Company
Colin Martin, Retired: Captain, US Navy, Administrator Dorchester County and the Town of Summerville
Danielle Mercer, Chief of Community Relations and Business Development, Heartpine Homes
Justin Farnsworth, Owner, The Farnsworth Family Agency, Allstate
Meredith Buddin, Graphic Designer, Fancy Trimmins
Philip Wilson, VP Client Service Provider, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Scotty Kachelmier, General Manager, Paragon Sitework Constructors, Inc.

The 2024 professional dancers, in partnership with Ballroom Dance Charleston, will coach the celebrity contestants and choreograph their routines. The professional dancers include:

Debbie Housand
Anna McSwain
Calvin King
David Roland
Charlene Mims
Živilė Vėbraitė

The 2024 Judges include:

Carolyn Murray, WCBD News2 co-anchor
Micheal Tupper, Mike’s Garage
Priscilla Johnson, Principal, Joseph Pye Elementary School

Similar to the hit television show “Dancing with the Stars,” three couples will dance in each round, with the two couples receiving the most judges’ votes competing in a “dance off” to win the Judge’s Award. The couple receiving the most votes by dollars wins the mirror ball trophy for the People’s Choice Award. Votes are $10 each and can be cast in advance at TheARKofSC.org or the event.

Innovative Resource Management is the presenting sponsor. Dancing with The ARK’s Stars will be held at the Lowcountry Conference Center Summerville Hilton. As venue sponsor, with 15,000 square feet of ballroom space, the Lowcountry Convention Center is the largest convention facility in the Charleston metro area.

The 13th Annual Dancing with The ARK's Stars event was held in May 2023 and raised $105,000 with 450 audience members. Micheal Tupper and Charlene Mims took home the 2023 Mirror Ball Trophy for raising over $11,000. Priscilla Johnson and Melody Chabala won the 2023 Judges' Award for their dynamic swing performance.

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Caregiver Tips for the Holidays

By proadAccountId-435955 • December 17, 2024

We know caregiving during The Holidays can be a challenge. We want to help you and your family enjoy your holiday as much as you can! We have put together some of the best holiday tips for families living with Dementia. Please click the link(s) below to read more. Holiday Tips for Everyone Living with Dementia by Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC Tips for the Person with Dementia: 1. Take some time out to relax. 2. Do what you enjoy. 3. Consider letting people know when you need a break or are having trouble. 4. Make a list with your partner of what you would like to do this season. 5. Use the list to help keep on track. 6. Consider saying - "I know I know you, but I just can't place you..." when someone greets you and you aren't sure who they are to you. 7. Watch or listen to old, familiar music, movies, TV programs that make you feel good. 8. Get some exercise every day. 9. Get plenty of water each day. 10. Be careful about too many sweets or treats. 11. Work the a partner to do familiar and fund activities (For example: Making, signing, mailing cards OR making up mixes with recipes to share with the family). Tips for the Care Partner: 1. Keep gatherings smaller & visits shorter. 2. Offer time out. 3. Make a list of pleasures to do. 4. Encourage going out and doing something fun together rather than just talking. 5. Ask visitors to bring old pictures, old families items or props, and be prepared to reminisce about old times. 6. Take breaks from each other. 7. Consider cutting back on traditions if they seem distressing. 8. Help visitors out by introducing them with some orienting information, if they forget to do so 9. Get some exercise & take care of your stress levels. 10. Get a 'Friend' to help the person with dementia select gifts, shop, or do something special for loveds ones, including you! Tips for the Visitor: 1. Start off by looking friendly and offering your hand in a handshake. 2. Introduce yourself by name, then PAUSE, if the person still doesn't seem to know you, give them a little more background. 3. Use shorter phrases and PAUSE between thoughts or ideas, giving the person a chance to respond. 4. Talk about the old times more than recent information. 5. Keep memories positive if possible. 6. Accept general comments, don't push for specifics. 7. Don't correct errors, go with the flow of the conversation. 8. Be prepared to hear old stories over and over, use old pictures or props to bring up other old memories... and laugh. 9. Do something with the person rather than just talking to them. 10. If the person says something distressing or seems worried about something, realize it may not be true, but they are not lying to you, their brain is lying to them. Check it out with the care partner before acting on it. Additional Tips for the Holidays: >> The Holidays & Alzheimer's by The Alzheimer's Association >> Traveling tips for safe Holiday Travel by The Alzheimer's Association >> Holiday Gift Guide for Caregivers and People living with Dementia by The Alzheimer's Association >> 10 Holiday Tips every caregiver should know by Alz Lab

November is National Family Caregiver Month

By proadAccountId-435955 • November 7, 2024

November is National Family Caregiver Month!

25th Annual McElveen Race For The ARK

By proadAccountId-435955 • August 26, 2024

Congratulations to all of our winners! Male Overall: Daniel Martin 18:01 Female Overall: Lora Thomas 18:59 Corporate Challenge Winner: Without Limits Charleston Youth Challenge Winner: Without Limits Charleston We cannot thank you, our faithful supporters, enough for making our 25th Annual McElveen Race For The ARK a memorable race! With over 400 people participating, The ARK raised nearly $30,000 to benefit families living with Alzheimer's or related dementia throughout the Lowcountry. Because of you, we are able to continue to make a difference in the community. We look forward to making next year's race even better. As always, please let us know if we can be a resource for you!