12-08-2023 11:03pm

Fifth Third Awards $53,000 grant to Loveland Restaraunt RODI Italian  

Beth Callahan Editor

(Submitted Photo) Jo Beyersdorfer along with "The Prize Patrol of Fifth Third Folks" hold the large check from Fifth Third

LOVELAND, OH -- Fifth Third recently completed its inaugural Small Business Appreciation Campaign - Love, Fifth Third, which involved Fifth Third employees nominating their favorite small business to win one of three $53,000 grants that the financial institute was awarding.

Yesterday, one of the $53,000 grants was awarded to a small business in Loveland, Ohio in a.... "Publishers Clearing House style with a big check, balloons and a prize patrol of Fifth Third folks," explained Julianne Bell, a Fifth Third Vice President | Regional Marketing Manager.

At around 11:15 on Friday, Fifth Third Bank Cincinnati Region President Tim Elsbrock and Cincinnati Region Retail Executive, John Sieg surprised RODI Italian co-owner Jo Beyersdorfer with the huge $53,000 grant check.

To get Beyersdorfer's surprise reaction on camera, Bell, along with some other Fifth Third employees set up a "fake" interview with Beyersdorfer and RODI Italian's General Manager Andrew Rettig.

“This is a true testament to the wonderful work our team does,” said Beyersdorfer, whose husband Roberto Peloni is head chef. “Everyone is so dedicated and hardworking, and the community is so supportive and embracing. We are honored, and truly appreciate Fifth Third's dedication to small businesses like ours.”

RODI opened in February 2021 and specializes in homemade pastas, Neapolitan pizza, fresh seafood, craft cocktails and local espresso.

For two weeks leading up to and through the Thanksgiving shopping weekend, Fifth Third employees entered their favorite local small businesses into the sweepstakes.

Fifth Third employees submitted nearly 2,200 entries. (Visit Fifth Third’s X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn to see the entries or follow #love53.)

Fifth Third employee Corinne Byrd, a Community Reinvestment Act program manager, nominated RODI by posting on her LinkedIn profile. Byrd said she chose the restaurant for the sweepstakes because she had heard how amazing the food was and a friend is the manager.

Byrd went a little further with the Fifth Third love, leaving a $53 tip on her meal. This was another part of Fifth Third’s small business appreciation campaign, for employees in the greater Cincinnati area. Employees could “shop on their time and tip on Fifth Third’s dime.” The tip will be reimbursed by the Bank.

“I am so proud of how our local employees showed up big for small businesses this holiday season,” said Tim Elsbrock, Fifth Third regional president in Cincinnati. “RODI Italian is a beloved restaurant in Loveland, and I look forward to seeing how this grant can help them grow their businesses and continue to thrive in their community.”    

About Fifth Third  

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust. Fifth Third Bank, National Association, is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com.    