July 19 | Isabelle Panza

Harry Chapin: A Man of Two Legacies

Many people around the world know Harry Chapin as a brilliant singer and songwriter. But on Long Island, we recognize him as a profound humanitarian. Before achieving fame as a singer, Harry was a documentary filmmaker. His son, Jason, explained, “He came from a very active extended family. There were plenty of relatives involved in education and history and active in different movements, so he was always socially conscious and aware of the issues.”

One of Harry’s significant projects was a documentary for the World Bank, which took him to Ethiopia, where he captured the devastating effects of famine. According to Jason, this experience had a “major impact” on his father.

As Harry’s singing career blossomed, he and his family moved to Huntington. His wife, Sandy, sought to get involved in the local community, and Harry started to get involved as well. Harry performed benefit concerts at Huntington High School, where his children attended, alongside famous singers such as Pete Seeger, Steve Goodman, and Kenny Rogers.

Harry’s philanthropic journey gained momentum after an interview with Bill Ayers, a Catholic priest and radio host. They connected instantly and began discussing ways to contribute philanthropically. This collaboration led to the co-founding of WhyHunger in 1975. Jason noted that his father “always gave one hundred percent and never said no. So he quickly realized he wanted to do more.” This drive led to the co-founding of the Center for Food Action in New Jersey in 1976. Subsequently, Harry performed about 100 benefit concerts annually to support his charities and realized the need for a regional food bank on Long Island.

To make this dream a reality, Harry needed to raise $50,000. He intensified his benefit concerts, not only for WhyHunger and other nonprofits across America but also to fund the regional food bank. He engaged other celebrities and corporations in his mission and also lobbied elected officials for support.

These efforts culminated in the founding of Long Island Cares in 1980. Sadly, Harry Chapin passed away only a year later, but his legacy has endured for 44 years, living on through both his music and Long Island Cares, The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank.

Harry Chapin with a child, playing guitar.

Jason Chapin reflected on his father’s dual legacy: “He has two legacies: his music and his humanitarian work. These continue through events like the ‘Just Wild About Harry’ tribute concert and the ongoing work of Long Island Cares. His music and philanthropy are inextricably linked. Some people only know about his music, others about his philanthropy, but they end up discovering both through one another. Without the dedication of the Long Island Cares staff, board, and supporters, the organization might not have survived those early years after my dad passed away or achieved such remarkable growth to become what it is today.”

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