Hallmark Channel Stars Come Together to Support Ashley Williams & Nikki DeLoach's Dance Party to End ALZ | Just Jared
MoviesHub
The Hallmark Channel family came together over the weekend to rally around Ashley Williams and Nikki DeLoach at their annual Dance Party to End ALZ benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
Ashley and Nikki hosted the eighth annual event, raising $300,000 and counting for the Alzheimer’s Association’s research grant program, on Sunday night (September 13) at AVALON Hollywood in Los Angeles.
The event was founded by Ashley‘s sister Kimberly Williams-Paisley in honor of their mother and family’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease. While Kimberly wasn’t able to attend this year, she was one of the event’s sponsors and it was announced during the event that she donated an additional $20,000 to the cause!
The pajama-themed dance party was emceed by Jonathan Bennett and Melissa Peterman, who are longtime friends and worked together on multiple seasons of Hallmark’s Finding Mr. Christmas reality show. They had so many costumes ready for hilarious bits in-between all of the performances throughout the night!
At one point during the party, Ashley gave an emotional speech about how the Dance Party to End ALZ has truly come full circle for her family. A decade after her mother passed away from Alzheimer’s, her father was diagnosed with the disease. He recently started a treatment that was discovered thanks to a research study that the Dance Party to End ALZ helped fund last year!
“I have to tell you guys something. My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year. Many of you know my mother died of Alzheimer’s in 2016. My father was diagnosed last Christmas. About a month ago, my dad started his amyloid fusion treatment funded by this event and he most recently had a new brain scan and it shows no further cognitive decline. It it is working! It’s working and I’m so grateful to all of you. We did that together!” Ashley said.
@justjared Hallmark icon Ashley Williams gave an emotional and inspiring speech at the Dance Party to End ALZ, revealing how a research study funded by this annual event helped discover a treatment that is now being used by her father, who is battling Alzheimer’s. Ashley’s sister Kimberly Williams-Paisley founded the dance party and now Ashley hosts it every year with Nikki DeLoach. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2 million to help advance promising scientific discoveries in Alzheimer’s research. #AshleyWilliams #NikkiDeLoach #DancetoEndALZ ? original sound – Just Jared
Several of your favorite Hallmark Channel actors got on stage during the event to entertain the crowd, including Andrew Walker who performed Green Day’s “Basket Case” and Paul Greene who got into character for his covers of “Sweet Caroline” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”
Tamera Mowry-Housley brought her besties to serve as her backup vocalists for performances of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “We Belong.”
Sarah Drew collaborated with her friends Kate Kilbane on “Closer to Fine.”
Other performers at the event included American Idol alum Melinda Doolittle, The Carrie Diaries actress Lindsey Gort, The Voice alum Eliza Pryor, Kayden Muller-Janssen, and Riley Weston.
@justjared Hallmark Channel actor Andrew Walker rocks out to Green Day’s “Basket Case” while performing in just a robe and shorts at the Dance Party to End ALZ: Pajama Party Edition! Since its inception, the event, hosted by Nikki DeLoach and Ashley Williams, has raised more than $2 million to help advance promising scientific discoveries in Alzheimer’s research. #AndrewWalker #DancetoEndALZ ? original sound – Just Jared
“Tonight was pure magic, and it’s all because of you. To every fan, friend and family member who danced, bid, sang along and opened their hearts – thank you. This event is a testament to what we can do when we come together for the people we love. This community carries our families’ stories forward, and every dollar raised tonight brings us one step closer to a world without Alzheimer’s,” Ashley and Nikki said in a statement.
Keep scrolling to see all of the stars in attendance!
Event Committee!
Ashley and Nikki were joined on the event committee by Andrew and his wife Cassandra Troy, as well as Hallmark Media’s chief communications officer, Annie Howell, and director of talent relations and events, Shaina Julian.
Funds raised through Dance Party to End ALZ will directly support the Alzheimer’s Association’s research grant program. To date, Dance Party to End ALZ has raised more than $2 million to fund diverse and exciting Alzheimer’s research — from studying the impacts of genetics and sleep on the brain, to developing new interventions for dementia risk reduction.
Paul Greene
Paul had three outfits for the night, including his red carpet look, his tiny pink sweater for “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and his Neil Diamond outfit for “Sweet Caroline.” He revealed that he was actually wearing his wife’s pants for that final look!
Sarah Drew
Sarah performed the song “Closer to Fine” with her friend Kate Kilbane.
Melissa Peterman and Jonathan Bennett
Jonathan stripped off his shirt and auctioned it off for the cause. Someone in the crowd bought it for $500!
Andrew Walker
Andrew went shirtless under his robe while performing during the event!
B.J. Britt and Taylor Cole
Hallmark stars B.J. Britt and Taylor Cole were dressed in blue and red for the pajama party!
Sharon Lawrence matched with Andrew Walker’s wife Cassandra!
Sharon Lawrence and Cassandra Troy ordered the same pajamas to wear to the event and both looked fabulous.
Brooke D’Orsay
Hallmark actress Brooke D’Orsay snapped a cute photo with event host Ashley Williams!
Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe
Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe looked chic in her vintage green pajamas and slippers.
Tamera Mowry-Housley
We need to see Tamera Mowry-Housley in a musical after watching those performances!
Bonnie Hunt
TV and movie legend Bonnie Hunt stepped out to support the cause!
See so many more photos below.
Posted To:Andrew Walker Ashley Williams BJ Britt Bonnie Hunt Brooke D'Orsay Event Photos Hallmark Channel Jonathan Bennett Melissa Peterman Nikki DeLoach Paul Greene Sarah Drew Sharon Lawrence Tamera Mowry-Housley Taylor Cole Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe
＼ Get the latest news ／
