CHARLESTON, S.C. – The ARK, Alzheimer’s Family Support Services, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia community in the Charleston area and beyond, announces that it is the recipient of a $5,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands® Grant. This contribution will be instrumental in bolstering the organization's fundamental services, encompassing memory screenings, resource fairs, educational workshops, and support groups. For more than 27 years, The ARK has been reaching residents of Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties, as well as Harleyville and Summerville, guaranteeing broad accessibility to necessary support.

The Allstate Foundation supports the causes that Allstate agency owners, financial specialists, and employees care about most by providing Allstate Foundation Helping Hands® Grants to nonprofits where they volunteer their time to help communities thrive. This grant acknowledges the tireless dedication of three local Allstate insurance agents and agency owners. The ARK appreciates Ed Demaree, Michael Hess, and Justin Farnsworth, along with their associates, for empowering people and their community. They gave time and effort to help The ARK receive the $5,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands® Grant.

"We are thankful to have the continued support and generosity from our local Allstate representatives,'' said Peg Lahmeyer, executive director of The ARK. “Additionally, their commitment to volunteering at the Race for The ARK the last five years is always very much appreciated.”

One of The ARK's hallmark services is its respite programs, offered in Summerville on Tuesdays through Thursdays and in Harleyville on Wednesdays. These programs provide much-needed relief for family caregivers, offering a break from the demanding responsibilities of 24/7 caregiving. The grant will also support the Navigation Club, an early memory loss program designed for community members experiencing early memory loss symptoms.

In addition to these services, The ARK conducts virtual and in-person support groups, Lunch & Learn educational workshops, memory screenings, resource referrals, caregiver workshops, and first responder/law enforcement training. The Allstate Foundation's grant ensures that these crucial programs continue to thrive and provide support to individuals and families confronting memory loss challenges.

If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one with memory loss, The ARK can help. For a free caregiver consultation or more information about The ARK’s offerings, call 843-471-1360 or visit thearkofsc.org.

ABOUT THE ARK, ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES

Based in Summerville, The ARK is a local nonsectarian nonprofit outreach program providing hope and relief to families living with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia (ADRD). Support services include social respite care, support groups, education, caregiver consultations, resource referrals, and community development. For more information, call 843-471-1360 or visit thearkofsc.org.