Thom Kramer
Tinseltown Photo / Founder, Haunts Against Hunger
At the age of six, Thom saw one of his neighbors elaborately decorate their front yard for Halloween. Apparently it stuck. Thom has been a Halloween enthusiast most of his life. Thom and his family have been extreme yard haunt decorators for many years. In 2008, after noticing how much attention and crowds their house drew, they decided to use the attention to bring awareness about the need of local food pantries. The first year, they were the only ones participating in what they called “Haunts Against Hunger.” The movement was born. The second year, four other homes joined the cause and it progressively has grown since then. Thom’s goal has always been to bring the food drive to a national level.
Thom is a photographer and the owner of Tinseltown Photo. On several occasions, Thom worked on photography assignments with Linda Blair and a friendship was sparked. Knowing of Linda’s involvement with humanitarian causes, Thom made the pitch to join forces with Linda and she felt it was a perfect fit. Thom is a married father of five and lives in the Chicago suburbs. Thom also works for Sedgwick Claims Management Services as a communications consultant.
Linda Blair
Actress / Humanitarian / Co-Founder, Haunts Against Hunger
At age 15, Linda Blair received a Golden Globe for her supporting role as Regan, a young teen possessed by the devil, in 1973's The Exorcist. Linda parlayed that success into a career of playing sympathetic victims in such TV movies as Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic and Hell Night. She continued to produce similar performances throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Most of her adult life has been devoted to caring for animals and raising funds for their care. Linda is the founder of the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation. The mission of the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation is to make sure that every animal she rescue is given a second chance at a happy life and a loving forever home. Linda’s status as a public figure helps to bring much needed attention to growing problems related to animal welfare and the work required to stop animal abuse and neglect.
Bob Miller A.K.A "Reaper Madness"
Reaper Madness / Co-Founder, Haunts Against Hunger
Bob Miller or better known as the 8' lovable Reaper Madness. Bob has been an asset to Haunts Against Hunger since it's inception. Bob completely created and fabricated his alter ego "the Reaper" over a period of 20 years. It is a technological wonder. When suited up Bob is part Bob, part Reaper and part cyborg. Bob is also an Chicago area paranormal folklorist and has created several do-it-yourself CD ghost tours complete with maps and GPS coordinates. Bob is also the owner of The Brothers Coffin multi media tours. TB Coffin specializes in adventures on wheels. All Brothers Coffin Tours are multimedia events, with video, audio, music, and always with a live host to keep the evening pumped and moving. These tours will be scheduled throughout the year, but if you see one you really want to do now, call us for a private tour. We will be happy to entertain your party for the evening!
Bob is a married father of two with too many interests and talents to settle on just one. Underachiever to some, insane genius to others but, part of the Haunts Against Hunger family.
Officer Anthony "Tony" Ritz
Worth Illinois Police Department / Organizer of the Worth Haunts Against Hunger March
Tony was born in County Cork Ireland in 1967. Naturalized to the United States as a young child. Tony grew up in Worth and Palos Heights, Illinois. After he graduated from Brother Rice High School in 1985, he attended DeVry, Moraine Valley and Governors State University. Tony also worked as a Firefighter and EMT on the Lemont Fire Department between 1990 and 2000. He started as a Police Officer with the Village of Worth in 1994. Tony is also an amateur photographer and computer artist and webmaster of the Village's website www.VillageofWorth.com.
Tony's leadership role has been to organize the Village's Haunt Against Hunger march. In addition, he also organizes the Village's National Night Out, the Neighborhood Watch Program and helps organize Worth Days. Tony was awarded the Department's Officer Recognition Award in 2009. Past President and current Secretary to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #143.
"Darkside" Paul Daniels
Darkside Studio / Co-Founder, Haunts Against Hunger
Paul Daniels or as he is better known as "Darkside Paul" has been an asset to the HAH movement. Paul is also one of the world's best mask makers. Paul is the owner of Darkside Studio's high quality masks. Paul started DarkSide Studios back in 1995 out of his garage of his house. Over the years, Paul has become one of the world most respected mask makers and has been featured on many television programs including National Geographic "Halloween Unmasked". Paul produces all of the masks he sells and uses no oversea mass production. They are clearly works of art. Paul lives in the Chicago suburbs and is married with four kids and one grandchild.
2012 by Chicagolandhalloween.com/ hauntsagainsthunger.com. Photographs are protected by intellectual property rights. Consequently, none of these photographs or material may be reproduced, modified, re-circulated, commercially exploited or re-used in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of Chicagolandhalloween.com/ hauntsagainsthunger.com.