Charleston Resident Distributed Rocks to Fight ALS
Janet Berg has hidden 150 painted rocks across Charleston to increase public awareness of ALS and support research.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Painting
Janet Berg has distributed 150 hand-painted rocks featuring animals and characters throughout Charleston. The initiative aims to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease currently affecting her husband, Bruce Berg.
Why it matters
The project serves as both a stress-relieving outlet for Berg while acting as a caregiver and a grassroots effort to educate the public. By placing these rocks in high-traffic areas, she hopes to keep the cause visible after the initial viral surge of past campaigns.
Janet Berg has already placed 150 rocks in the city, with plans to distribute 50 additional units in Mount Pleasant. Her husband, Bruce Berg, has maintained a 50-year career in the record store industry.
The players
Janet Berg
She is a local caregiver and artist who launched the painted rock initiative to support her husband.
Bruce Berg
He is a long-time Charleston business owner who has operated the Record Stop on King Street.
Janelle Berg-Gomez
She is the manager of the Record Stop who assists in the placement of the painted rocks.
The details
The rocks are decorated with various images and include messages on the back to encourage support for ALS research. Janet Berg, assisted by Janelle Berg-Gomez, placed the items at businesses throughout downtown Charleston and on Daniel Island.
Timeline
Bruce Berg opened his first record store in 1974.
The Ice Bucket Challenge occurred in 2014.
Bruce Berg was diagnosed with ALS in 2024.
Janet Berg prepared for a feeding tube appointment on October 7, 2026.
Culture Shift
This effort follows the pattern set by the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge by using creative public engagement to sustain visibility for ALS research. It marks a transition from viral internet trends to localized, tangible community advocacy.
Residents may encounter these painted rocks while visiting downtown businesses or exploring Daniel Island. The project invites the public to acknowledge the messages on these items and consider supporting ALS research initiatives.
The takeaway
Creative projects can provide meaningful outlets for caregivers while maintaining public focus on serious medical causes. Residents can show support by keeping an eye out for these rocks and sharing their messages with others in the community.
Further reading
Learn more about local creative efforts in Charleston Painting.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
