First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani is banking on hitting his record-setting goal of raising $60,000 for nonprofit agency Turning Point Domestic Violence Services by about 6 p.m. today. He has been on the roof of of the downtown Columbus branch at 125 Third St. since 8 a.m.
His total stood at $51,000 just before 5 p.m.
Gambaiani and First Financial staffers have planned the Tony In the Sky event for several months in order to highlight the mission and the need of Turning Point, working toward the prevention and the elimination of domestic and dating violence through a wide range of educational and outreach programs.
Raising money with community leaders on the roof of local buildings became an annual event a few years ago. Community leader Rick Silvers of Centra Credit Union set the previous fundraising roof record at $53,000.
“This morning, it was absolutely gorgeous,” Gambaiani said shortly before 5 p.m. from the bank roof. “It’s getting a little toasty only just now.”
As he spoke, local band The Striped Sweaters were playing, workers from Upland Columbus Pump House were selling beer onsite with all proceeds going to the cause and First Financial workers were cooking pork and chicken on Thompson Furniture’s Big Green Egg grills, with part of food proceeds to go the cause.
Turning Point President Whittney Loyd mentioned that the whole day has been a team effort, from donated doughnuts in the morning from Donut Central to volunteer cooks. An Indianapolis TV station showed up earlier today to cover the event.
“Everybody has been so great,” Loyd said.
You can donate now here: https://bit.ly/3OMw5uM
Booths are setup for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event at First Financial Bank in downtown Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023.
First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani stand on the roof of his bank branch for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event at First Financial Bank in downtown Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023.
A donation meter featuring a likeness of First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani is seen at Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event at First Financial Bank in downtown Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
A sign telling motorists to look up is seen outside First Financial Bank for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event at First Financial Bank in downtown Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
Safety measures are for First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani during his stint on the roof of the bank for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event at First Financial Bank in downtown Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani stands on the roof of First Financial Bank in downtown for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani hits a foam ball off the roof of First Financial Bank in downtown for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani stands on the roof of First Financial Bank in downtown for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
A Turning Point Domestic Violence Services booth is setup for their Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
Brian Crase, left, and Jake Fedor check on food being cooked for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
People gather for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
Kevin Lane check the temperature on chicken being cooked for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani hits a foam ball off the roof of First Financial Bank in downtown for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
Elisabeth Jones, vice president of resource development for Turning Point, sorts through donations during Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Tony in The Sky fundraising event in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. First Financial Bank Regional President Tony Gambaiani took to the roof of First Financial to raise $60,000 for Turning Point.
