According to Paule Pachter, Executive Director of Long Island Cares,
Inc. - The Harry Chapin Food Bank, "Harry Chapin's contributions to
the human services landscape on Long Island and especially his work to
end hunger both locally and globally were so significant that we need
more than a week to celebrate his legacy on the occasion of the
thirtieth anniversary of his untimely death on July 16, 1981."
A series of
ten events including live radio broadcasts, free concerts, special
readings, open house tours of both food bank locations, Island wide
food drives, a $100,000 challenge, and the involvement of the entire
musical Chapin Family, along with a special event to meet one of the
legendary women of Rock and Roll will be held between July 8-18 to
celebrate the life, music and message of Harry Chapin during what Long
Island Cares has billed, "Legacy 30."
The first
event will take place on Friday, July 8 from 5:00 AM - 7:00 PM
as WALK Radio 97.5FM broadcasts Live from the Super Stop &
Shop on Route 110 in Farmingdale to promote the opening day of
"The NBTY Helping Hands Charity $100,000 Challenge" to benefit
Long Island Cares. During the 10 period, NBTY Helping Hands Charity
will match all contributions made to Long Island Cares up to a maximum
of $50,000 including a $1.00 per pound for all non-perishable food
donations during the WALK Radio Live broadcasts. "It is an honor and a
privilege to be associated with Long Island Cares inc - the Harry
Chapin Food Bank, NBTY Helping Hands and all those that are trying to
make a difference. Harry Chapin the legacy he left behind and WALK
97.5 have a natural connection of helping the community and working
hard to make a difference every day," said Jim Condron, Vice President
and Market Manager.
Long Island
Cares will also host its "3rd Annual Day of Making A
Difference Open House" from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM at both their
Hauppauge and Freeport locations. The public is invited to visit the
food bank and hunger assistance center to tour the warehouse, donate
food, make a contribution, help sort food and participate in
workshops. All donations will be matched by NBTY Helping Hands Charity
during this event as well.
As part of all
of the events scheduled, for each $100 donation to Long Island Cares
received, the donor will receive an invitation to a special "Meet
and Greet" with The Chapin Family and members of The Harry Chapin
Band prior to the July 16 free Chapin Family Concert at the
newly rededicated Chapin Rainbow Stage at Heckscher Park in
Huntington. The Meet and Greet will take place next door at the
Heckscher Museum prior to the concert.
"Long Island's
support of Harry's mission and the organizations he founded have
continued for more than thirty years, and this is an opportunity to
bring people together over a ten day period to celebrate and remember
the difference one man can and has made," said Pachter.
For more
information on all of the events, please visit Long Island Cares'
website at
www.licares.org or log onto
www.Facebook.com/licares
.
