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.

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

4th Annual Car Show raises over $11,000

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!

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!