Men Take a Stand set for Columbus

The Men Take a Stand event protesting domestic violence begins as a “march” at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Fifth and Washington streets in downtown Columbus, according to organizers with Turning Point Domestic Violence Services.

Anyone is invited to participate as the men gather at 11:30 a.m. and proceed south down Washington Street to the City Hall steps by 11:45 a.m.

A short program will begin at noon, with remarks from community leaders. That includes this year’s main speaker, Austin Lewis, chair of the 2016 Dance Marathon in March and past Member of the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Youth Council.

Turning Point also put itself and its work front and center with another recent event.

The Not So Newlywed Game at the Upland Columbus Pump House attracted a standing-room-only crowd of 203 people and netted $23,600 for Turning Point, said Elisabeth Jones, vice president of resource development.

The game featured questions and answers in the style of the classic “Newlywed Game” TV game show from five Columbus couples. Diana and Tony Gambaiani won the event by having the most matching answers.

The game show was one way for the agency to highlight and celebrate features of healthy relationships during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The evening also featured Turning Point’s annual report to the community.