What started out in 1994 as The Tape Company’s annual golf outing for anyone who wanted to hit some balls and share some laughs has evolved into a special friend of post production families in need.
Now called The Hummel, the Aug. 11 golf outing/dinner at the Wilmette Country Club will welcome golfers and those who just want to hang out at dinner for a great cause.
The money provided by The Hummel will go into the Chicago Post Production Benefit Fund, which to date has raised more than $150,000 that was distributed to 20 industry families who found themselves in financial crisis due illness, injury, death or other causes.
The annual event is named for the late Jerry Hummel, who at that time had been a partner in the now-defunct Skyview, died, suddenly, leaving a young son, Christopher, and no insurance.
As recalled by The Tape Company founder Bob Daley, “a good friend of Jerry’s, Doug Spilatro, a graphic artist at Skyview, was an avid golfer, like Jerry.
“Doug and other golfers who worked in postproduction asked me if we would convert The Tape Company outing into a benefit outing to help raise money for Christopher’s college fund.”
Daly unhesitatingly agreed. With the help of Spilatro, Pete Janotta and Mike Weaver, they called on their associates and manufacturers to support the event. The first funds, and those raised for the next eight years, were put into a trust for Christopher’s college, Daley relates.
The Chicago Post Production Benefit Fund was created eight years later, after The Hummel had accomplished its goal of providing for Christopher Hummel’s college education.
“We have raised over $150,000 and, besides Christopher, the CPPBF has assisted approximately eight individuals, who mostly worked at post houses and had fallen on tough times,” states Daly.
Deemed successful in terms of community-spirited fund-raising and camaraderie, The Hummel continues each August as one of the few, continuing industry events.
“What really makes this work,” notes Daly, “is the support of the industry?the people who come out to play golf for the day for a good cause, and the manufactures who are huge contributor to the Fund.”
On Aug. 16, some 120-plus golfers will show up at noon to register and get set for nine or 18 holes of golf. They’ll end the relaxing day with cocktails and dinner, to which non-golfers are cordially invited to attend.
The current CPPBF board, which plans the event and determines fund distribution, consists of Radi Akel, Jessica Armstrong, Bob Daly, Pete DeBenny Tom Duff and Pete Janotta.
At the Wilmette Golf Club, Lake Ave. and Harms Road at 3900 Fairway Dr., off the Edens Expressway in Wilmette. Registration, noon, shotgun starts, 1 p.m., cocktails, 5:30, dinner and raffle, 6:30. Registration, golf and dinner, $150; dinner only, $75.
For online registration and credit card payments, see
