Turning Point Domestic Violence Services’ Not-So Family Feud didn’t hold back with the hard questions Thursday night. Even the first question proved to be a tricky one.
“Name a body part that starts with the letter E,” game host Mickey Kim asked Ike DeClue of Team Odd Squad and Jacob Evans of Team Piggy Bank Posse.
DeClue, the executive director of the Office of Downtown Development, buzzed in first with “elbow,” the third most popular answer. Evans, the VP commercial relationship manager with Centra Credit Union, then answered with the more popular answer “eyeball,” giving them the chance to play.
Two of the other answers came easy to Centra’s Team Piggy Bank Posse, ear and eyelid. But the fourth answer stumped the returning champion team.
“I’ve got a toddler at home and I’m going through ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ and I’m not coming up with anything,” Evans said to Kim.
As they were on their last strike, business banker Debbie Barber shouted out “esophagus,” giving them a 100 point lead over Team Odd Squad and a loud round of applause from the audience.
However, Team Piggy Bank Posse surrendered its crown to Team Lift It Like Toyota, who went up against Team Engine-ious Four from Cummins in the championship round.
”The crowd was really engaged,” Turning Point grants and communication manager Maddie Hatchett said of the evening. “The teams, they all had either matching attire or dressed up or had something on their shirt with their team names, Toyota had their mascot. So I really think that between the engaged crowd and the teams making it fun, it was one of our better events and I really think everyone enjoyed themselves.”
Other teams participating included Team Debit Divas from Agresta, Storms & O’Leary and Team Johnson-Witkemper Hazard Hunters. Audience members could vote monetarily for their favorite teams during the night.
All funds raised from the evening support Turning Point’s critical programs, with a portion going toward the Sarah Cannon Memorial Scholarship fund. Three seniors will be awarded with this scholarship at the After Prom Party next year.
Prior to the game show portion of the evening, Turning Point took time to reflect on its 50th year of operations with their annual report. According to statistics shown during the evening, in 2024, 7,374 nights were provided in their emergency shelter and 1,487 crisis calls were answered through the 24-hour helpline, which Hatchett said was an increase.
Turning Point also served 1,090 non-residential families, provided 1,137 prevention presentations and 27 professional trainings.
“Every survivor we serve is a reminder of why Turning Point exists and why we must never stop,” president Whittney Loyd said. “Fifty years in, our work is far from done. The calls for help keep coming, the need keeps growing, but so does our resolve. We’re here because we believe, stubbornly, fiercely and without apology that everyone deserves to live free from violence.”
The event also took time to recognize and award those in the community who made an impact on Turning Point. Coca-Cola Columbus Indiana was presented with the Community Impact Award, while former CEO of Alimentation Couche-Tard Brian Hannasch, who sat on the roof during August’s annual roof sit-in fundraiser, was presented with the Stand Up Award.
“I’m so pleased to accept this honor on behalf of my good friend Brian Hannasch,” Kim said as Hannasch could not attend Thursday night. “It was a great day for Turning Point, raised over $130,000 in one day. It was also a great day for Brian, those of you who know him know that he’s never sat still for ten hours in his life, so he knows he can do it now.”
The Kris Kindelsperger Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Janet Peters. Lastly, Terry and Connie Marbach of the Namaste Foundation were presented with the Mission Partner Award.
