The devastating case of Amy Keever has raised the issue of domestic violence in the community.
Donn and Amy Keever had been married for 18 years when Amy Keever filed for divorce July 10, saying the couple had an irretrievable breakdown in marriage. On July 24, Donn Keever was served with the divorce papers, according to court records.
That same day, Amy Keever was set on fire in the front yard of the home the couple had shared on Highland Avenue in Franklin. She told police her estranged husband, Donn Keever, had set her on fire. Fifteen minutes later, police said Donn Keever, 40, crashed his pickup truck head-on into a semi on Interstate 65 and was killed.
Keever received serious burns over a large portion of her body and was taken to Eskenazi Hospital, where she was in critical condition in the hospital’s burn center.
To educate people about healthy domestic relationships, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services is hosting a special game show event called the “Not-so-Newlywed Game,” patterned after the famous 1966 television show hosted by Bob Eubanks. But in this version, the “Not-so-Newlywed” couples will be put to the test to see how much they know and don’t know about a spouse they’ve been married to for quite a while.
The five couples will be asked to answer a variety of questions, said Lisa Shafran, Turning Point president.
“Some were chosen because of their involvement with Turning Point; some were chosen because of their involvement in the community, and some were chosen because they’re a lot of fun,” Shafran said. “And some were all of the above.”
Husbands and wives will be asked questions separately while spouses are in a soundproof booth, Shafran said. Providing a matching answer means winning points.
The Sept. 17 event in Columbus is meant to be fun and entertaining but also to raise awareness about domestic violence ahead of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Shafran said.
“A lot of what we talk about is the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships,” Shafran said. “We thought this would be a great opportunity to showcase how important healthy relationships are.”
Turning Point serves women and families in several south-central Indiana counties, including Johnson County.
In an earlier interview, Shafran said, “This is an issue in all of our communities. Bringing it to the forefront has only driven more and more victims to seek services, which is a wonderful thing that people are getting the help they need.”
Tickets for the Not-so-Newlywed game will be $20 a person and will go on sale Aug. 24. All proceeds from the game will go toward Turning Point services.
Raising awareness and educating the public are vital keys in ending domestic violence. This sad case in Franklin is only the latest reminder that this fight continues and victims continue to suffer.
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A fund for donations has been set up at Horizon Bank. Donations may be made at any Horizon Bank branch, or may be mailed to Tabernacle Christian Church, 198 N. Water St., Franklin. Donations will be used for medical and living expenses for Amy Keever and her family.
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What: “Not-so-Newlywed Game”
Where: Columbus Learning Center, 4555 Central Ave.
When: Sept. 17; reception at 5:30 p.m., game begins at 6 p.m.
Tickets: $20 per person
Information: Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, 812-379-5575
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An incident in Franklin is a reminder that domestic violence remains a vital community issue.
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Raising awareness and public education are the best ways to combat domestic violence.
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