Celebrity Dancers Contribute to Record Year for Annual Dancing With The ARK’s Stars
April 11, 2016
The sixth annual Dancing with The ARK’s Stars raised more than $83,000 – its largest year yet. Nearly 500 people came out to watch local celebrities pair with professional dancers for an evening of competition and fundraising for The ARK, Alzheimer’s Family Support Services.
Nancy Deitch, a teacher at Rollings Middle School of the Arts in Summerville, won the 2016 People’s Choice Mirror Ball Trophy. She raised more than $21,000 and danced in honor of her father, who passed away in August after eight years of vascular dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Greer Reagin of Reagin Orthodontics in Summerville won the 2016 Judges’ Award for her waltz performance with dance partner James Jiang. Reagin raised more than $10,000 and danced for her grandfather who suffered from dementia.
Proceeds from this premier fundraiser support the many programs of The ARK as it provides essential services for families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Serving five counties, The ARK offers respite care, support groups, caregiver consultation, education, resource referrals, community learning programs and rural services development.
“The celebrity dancers were very energetic and creative with their fundraising this year,” said Peg Lahmeyer, executive director of The ARK. “They all did a great job.”
Megan Severn, special events coordinator at The ARK, noted, “It was an honor to be a part of such an amazing event. It was awesome to see how supportive the Summerville community is.”
Pictured, second row, Michael Bateman, Jimmy Bateman, Shi Johnson, Gary Brewer, Artur Malakya, 2016 Mirror Ball Sponsors Judge Mary and Sam Blunt, Pren Woods, Matt Orosz, James Jiang, Cesar Lozada; first row, Frasier Block, Sarah Sharpe, Melody LoDuca, Nancy Deitch, Anya Kwan, Marina Fridomanovich, Greer Reagin and Mary Early.
The 2016 celebrity dancers were:
- Michael Bateman, Summerville Police Department
- Gary Brewer, Banks Construction
- Nancy Deitch, Rollings Middle School of the Arts
- Mary Early, Early Family Foundation
- Wakesha Evans, Hope Clinic
- Matthew Orosz, Hearing Care of Summerville
- Greer Reagin, Reagin Orthodontics
- Pren Woods, Alston Middle School
The judges for 2016 were Rodney Profit, 2015 winner of the Judge’s Award; Kenny Walker, 2015 People’s Choice Award winner; and professional performers Brad and Jennifer Moranz of Moranz Entertainment.
To learn more about the event and how to get involved with the 2017 Dancing with The ARK’s Stars, call 843-832-2357.
ABOUT THE ARK, ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
Based in Summerville, The ARK is a local nonsectarian nonprofit outreach program providing comprehensive support services to families living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. For more information, call 843-832-2357 or visit thearkofsc.org.
