Photos available 

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.