More than 500 guests gathered May 9 at the Lowcountry Conference Center for the 16th Annual Dancing With The ARK’s Stars, raising a net $200,000 to expand Alzheimer’s caregiver support services and dementia resources across the Lowcountry.
Hosted by The ARK of South Carolina, the annual fundraiser paired local business and community leaders with professional dancers from Ballroom Dance Charleston for a ballroom dance competition benefiting families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Megan Greiner and professional partner James Jiang (pictured) took home the People’s Choice Award after raising more than $23,000 for The ARK. Brian Titze and professional partner Anna McSwain earned the Judges’ Choice Award for their Hustle performance.
“The funds raised through Dancing With The ARK’s Stars directly impact local families who are navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,” said Peg Lahmeyer, executive director of The ARK. “These resources allow us to provide respite care, education, support groups and compassionate guidance that help caregivers feel supported, connected and less alone during an incredibly difficult journey.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 113,000 South Carolinians age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, while nearly 229,000 family caregivers across the state provide unpaid care for loved ones with dementia.
Since 1996, The ARK has provided respite care, caregiver support groups, education, consultations, resource referrals and community outreach programs for families throughout Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Orangeburg counties.
The evening also included ARK After Dark, the event’s official after-party hosted by the Leadership Dorchester Class of 2026. Proceeds from the after-party benefited the Leadership Dorchester Pavilion Project, which will create an outdoor pavilion space for The ARK’s programs and community functions.
The 2026 event was presented by Innovative Resource Management with support from Ballroom Dance Charleston, the Lowcountry Conference Center, Carolina Chillers, Jennifer Kunda of Summerville Elite Homes, and Disaster Care—Cleaning & Restoration.
The 2026 dancers included:
- Priscilla Bloedoorn, owner, Not Your Average Wings
- Griff Buddin, loan officer, First National Bank of South Carolina
- Susan Clark, clinic liaison, WELS Care Wound Care
- Larry Collett, owner, Larry Collett Consulting Group
- Megan Greiner, talent acquisition, Trident Construction
- Laura Meehan, owner, Signs ASAP & Print ASAP
- Brian Titze, civil designer, Seamon Whiteside + Associates
- Steven Wright, PIO, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office
Professional dancers from Ballroom Dance Charleston included:
- Hannah Chiou
- Justin Chiou
- James Jiang
- Debbie Housand
- Anna McSwain
- Charlene Mims
- Alexander Spencer
- David Roland
For more information about The ARK and next year’s Dancing With The ARK’s Stars fundraiser, visit www.thearkofsc.org.