27th Annual Race for The ARK raises a net $30,000

16th Annual Dancing with The ARK's Stars raises a net $200,000

Preparing for the holidays can be exhausting and even more so as a care partner. We have put together a list of holiday tips for care partners and their loved ones with memory loss during the holidays. These tips will help you and your family focus on the joy of the season and relieve some stress.  Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Holiday Tips: How to support a person with dementia over the Holidays The Holidays & Alzheimer's Alzheimer's Foundation of America's Caregiver Holiday Tips: Five Holiday Do's and Don'ts when caring for a loved one with dementia Six tips for keeping Joy during the Holidays Six tips to celebrating the holidays with a loved one with Alzheimer's Alzheimer's Foundation of America Toll-Free Helpline: Open seven days a week and staffed entirely by licensed social workers specifically trained in dementia care. 866-232-8484 or visit their website at www.alzfdn.org AARP Caregiver Tips: 11 Tips for Caregivers during the Holidays AARP Family Caregiving Guide: A guide for Caring for Older Adults Additional Resources: Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregivers Disaster Preparedness Guide South Carolina Dementia Toolkit

NOVEMBER is... National Family Caregiver Month & National Alzheimer's Awareness Month November is a time to show support and to honor our nation's vital caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month. Join us in acknowledging and honoring families who are often caregiving "around the clock". That means around-the-clock dedication, organization, responsibility, scheduling, and hands-on care. Here is how you can support a caregiver for the month of November: 1. Raise awareness of family caregiver issues - 60% of caregivers are suffering with a chronic illness of their own and 31% of caregivers a suffering with depression. 2. Give appreciation for all that they do - celebrate the efforts of family caregivers by saying thank you 3. Increase support for family caregivers - offer to sit in with their loved one even for just an hour so that the caregiver get's a chance to do a self-care activity 4. Reduce feelings of isolation - meet the caregiver where they are! Go over to their house, take their favorite dessert & sit down to have a conversation or coffee. Here is how you can support caregivers at The ARK: 1. Volunteer at the Social Respite Program or the Early Memory Loss Program. These programs are designed to allow caregivers a break and time to themselves to practice self care. Our volunteers are vital to the success of this program. You can support family caregivers by volunteering for this program. The ARK is always looking for volunteers to share their time and talents with our participants. Our programs operate Monday-Friday. To find out more information, email info@thearkofsc.org or call us at 843-471-1360. 2. Donate towards The ARK's scholarship fund. This scholarship fund helps cover the cost of the program for a family to receive respite. No one is turned away due to inability to pay. Scholarships are funded by grants & donations. Please consider a gift to our scholarship fund here. 3. Sponsor an event in 2026. Our annual fundraisers allow for The ARK to provide services to families living with dementia at little to no cost. View our upcoming fundraisers here.

November is National Family Caregiver Month & National Alzheimer's Awareness Month!

26th Annual Race For The ARK raises over $28,000 (net) 

The ARK of SC - Philanthropy Officer Full time, Exempt Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000 Mission Statement: The ARK of SC provides hope and relief to families living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. The program allows caregivers a much needed break from caregiving responsibilities. The care receivers are able to socialize with one another in a program of social activities tailored to their needs in a loving and caring atmosphere of complete acceptance. The Philanthropy Officer is responsible for fundraising efforts related to: Building External Relationships, Raising Awareness, Increasing Funding, Sustaining and Developing Programs. This position includes securing major and planned gifts from individual donors, including unrestricted annual gifts, designated gifts for projects and programs and planned gift commitments. Manage a portfolio of high profile, high-capacity donors as well as securing sponsorships for the annual fundraising events. This position will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donor prospects and securing annual unrestricted gifts, special gifts and planned gifts. REQUIRED Experience, Education, Skills, and Knowledge: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and proven experience in major gifts acquisitions, individual fundraising, a legal, financial, or related field, with direct experience in cultivation and solicitation of individuals Proven experience in creating, implementing & growing major & planned giving strategies Established experience with managing and growing a portfolio of major donors and prospects Demonstrated ability to generate funds through development campaigns and fundraising Capability to deal with individuals from various backgrounds including clients and personnel Demonstrated ability to quickly establish and maintain effective rapport in community networks Able to work comfortably and professionally with a diverse group of people including but not limited to: donors, foundations, advisors, trustees, individual prospects and volunteers. Initiate and manage sponsor/donor cultivation and stewardship throughout the year, including corporate sponsorship DESIRED Experience, Education, Skills, and Knowledge: Experience with overseeing and coordinating with an events coordinator on existing fundraising events Ability to create a major and planned gifts budget to incorporate into the annual budget Excellent interpersonal skills and strong oral and written communications skills Proficiency in CRM Database entry & maintenance Empathetic to the special values and challenges of Alzheimer’s families Benefits of working for The ARK 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO accrued/Sick leave) 12 Paid holidays per year (in addition to PTO listed above) Paid end of year closure (8-10 days, includes two paid holidays mentioned above)) Comp time accrual (YTD only) Flexible work day schedule* Personal and professional growth opportunities Education is at the forefront of all services at The ARK. We do this through our core values of compassion and understanding. Each person is appreciated for their unique and individual contributions. Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran - The ARK is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents. A cover letter is required upon submission of a resume. Please send a cover letter and resume to Associatedir@thearkofsc.org. Resumes that are submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. *Subject to business needs, we may support flexible and hybrid work arrangements. Options will be discussed during the interview process.

Peg Lahmeyer Honored with Order of the Palmetto Award at Dancing with The ARK’s Stars Fundraiser