Sunday June 24, 2012, 3:53 pm
Harry Chapin was a cinematographer, playwright, poet, songwriter and ardent advocate fighting what he saw as the injustices in our society. He was best known as a prolific songwriter, recording artist and performer who played up to 300 concerts a year. Over the years, Harry demonstrated an amazing personal commitment – he gave the proceeds of every other concert to organizations fighting hunger. Harry and his band appeared 14 times on the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson". Harry will forever be known for his “story” songs – including “Cats in the Cradle”, “Taxi”, and “Circle”.

Hunger became Harry's cause, and his passion. He discussed ending hunger at all his appearances. He constantly lobbied Washington for help. Harry was responsible for President Jimmy Carter establishing the World Hunger Commission. Harry founded World Hunger Year (WHY), an international organization that brings grassroots organizations together to fight hunger. Harry established the hunger hotline in New York City – a service that remains today for the use of all hungry people in the city. Harry founded the Long Island Cares Food Bank and his widow, Sandy, still serves on the board of directors.

Harry died in an automobile crash on the Long Island Expressway in 1981. That night he was scheduled to do another benefit concert.

Sunday June 24, 2012, 4:58 pm
What a sad way to lose a great man. His kindnesses will live on thru his music and his fight to end hunger. Thanks, my friend.

Sunday June 24, 2012, 5:49 pm

Thanks Dandelion. I was and still am a fan of his music. For many months when I was pregnant with my first child, the alarm would be playing "Cats in the Cradle" a very good set of lyrics to hear when you are carrying a child. I did not know about his enthusiasm to fight hunger, what a wonderful goal.

Sunday June 24, 2012, 5:59 pm
Dande...You always have the most thought provoking news!

Rushing and want to totally read this article, gotta save your message, cause it will be OUTSTANDING!

Sunday June 24, 2012, 6:01 pm
Had to take a peek at the site before I signed off hun....Just couldn't help myself! xx

Sunday June 24, 2012, 7:08 pm
You are so correct David of his bringing family together. I left a link to those connected to me of the Cat's In The Cradle song, that had his family share that very fact. For those who are not linked to me, if you would like to hear that song and his wife and son speak briefly here is the link. I'm glad your son called quickly David. :)
Cat's In The Cradle

Sunday June 24, 2012, 9:12 pm
I really enjoyed Harry's music, and I'm very moved by his commitment to those in need. I'm glad that his family and friends are honoring him by continuing to champion his causes through The Harry Chapin Foundation. Now, more than ever, the world needs more people like Harry Chapin!

Thanks, Dandelion!

Sunday June 24, 2012, 9:24 pm
love his music and also love Mary Chapin Carpenter.
What an amazing family

Sunday June 24, 2012, 9:38 pm
Thanks for this great article.

Sunday June 24, 2012, 11:11 pm
We lost a wonderful man when Harry Chapin died. CAT'S IN THE CRADLE has been a long time favourite of mine - and now our twin grandsons love it too. Saw another wonderful songwriter and humanitarian the other night - Bill Withers......doing a lot for the under privileged.
Thanks for this so much Dandelion - and for the link.

Monday June 25, 2012, 3:03 am
"Cat's in a craddle" has been translated into Norwegian and is perfomed by Finn Kalvik,thanks for sharing this story of a remarkable man Harry Chapin.

Monday June 25, 2012, 4:19 am
Thanks so much for the article!!! I have always really liked his music but never knew this about the huMANitarian nature of his life.Very inspiring for me to read first thing in the morning.Articles like this one help to keep me hopeful.

Monday June 25, 2012, 5:25 am
As I hope some of you know I hunger is my cause and I also always speak of it where ever I go I feel a bond with this gentle man . Please help me support law to erase the pain of hunger forever.The hungry of the world thank you for your compassion. Mitro/McHenry Mandatory Food Rescue Donation Law

Monday June 25, 2012, 6:27 am
"Only the best die young"... thanks Sheryl .

Monday June 25, 2012, 6:38 am
Thank you Kathy for your dedication to a most noble and worthy cause. Without food and clean water, none of the rest of it matters.

I had the good fortune of seeing Harry Chapin when the song Taxi was at it's height and I do recall Harry speaking on hunger at the show. He and the rest of the band members were most generous with their time, staying after the show to meet with those who wanted an autograph or photo with them. In that time, no one charged for such things, and he was most gracious to speak to all who wanted a bit of time with him.

What I did not know, until years later, was his generosity to the cause he spoke about, he was a quiet giver and I thought it was time to bring his generosity to light with so many stories about greed that exist.

You are indeed correct Susanne, the world needs more of this type of man. I do believe that most people are kind and compassionate, but a vampire psyhic energy from a few people in vital places has twisted societies of people, to live in conditions that are otherwise nurturing to all.

Monday June 25, 2012, 8:55 am
"he's a lot like me- my son's a lot like me" Harry Chapin

Monday June 25, 2012, 9:17 am
Heard his songs, but, never heard his name! That is True Greatness!

Monday June 25, 2012, 9:26 am
We need more like him.

Monday June 25, 2012, 11:53 am
I never realize the extent of his caring. That song Cat's In The Cradle, I told my ex many times, he needs to listen.....

Monday June 25, 2012, 12:16 pm
Noted. Thanks for the Great Article Dandelion!

Monday June 25, 2012, 2:22 pm
It was so sad to have lost him but his cause was most worthwhile.

Monday June 25, 2012, 2:29 pm
thnx for this article

Monday June 25, 2012, 6:17 pm
Believe it or not, I still have a couple of Harry Chapin's tapes...they still play after all these years, and have been favorites of mine. Thanks, Dandelion.

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 2:08 am
Noted, thanks.

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 8:22 am
thanks for this great article. i have been a fan of harry's for a long long time. i listen to his music all the time on my ipod. he was a great man who died too soon.

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 11:14 am
I'm please to read Chapin's foundation is still alive. His piece "Taxi" will always remain for me an incredible piece of music.

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 12:52 pm
A marvelous role model

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 1:30 pm
thanks Dandelion

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 4:14 pm
Any one like him, who uses his public voice for the common good, is an ace in my book.

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 4:37 pm
Thanks for the article Dandelion A wonderful man

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 7:37 pm
Thank you for consistently giving us articles we can learn from and be inspired by. You are a blessing to Care2 Dandelion xx

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 7:48 pm
Thank you Iona and Marilyn, I appreciate what you said, and also for the rest who commented, I thank you all. May the Spirit of Harry Chapin spread and grow throughout the world, he truly was a blessing upon this Earth.

Tuesday June 26, 2012, 7:55 pm
A wonderful post Dandelion

Harry Chapin was a great man

Wednesday June 27, 2012, 3:17 pm
I had the great pleasure to know harry when I lived on long Island I used to help promote benefits for MDA and harry was always a help his brother Tom carries on but we sure miss a great guy and very decent human being gone but never forgotten

Wednesday June 27, 2012, 4:02 pm
Thank you for sharing that with us Gary.

Wednesday June 27, 2012, 6:43 pm
A fan but also did not know of his enduring humanitarian efforts. He's a great role model for these days.

Friday June 29, 2012, 8:45 am
I did not know much about Harry Chapin. As a very young girl I heard “Cat’s in the Cradle.” I understood the lyrics even then, and felt my father was very much like the singer. As a middle-aged adult, I still hear the same song on the radio, because Las Vegas has a “Number One Hits” radio station.

To be very honest, when I was not hearing any new songs on the radio from him, I thought he either became a has-been drunk or die early in his life. I had no idea of what all he had or has accomplished!!! It is sad, too, that our media does not mention these kinds of heroes nowadays, especially since they need to so that many of us can learn and understand what GOOD really is in life.

I also did not know he lived such a diversified life. When he was not composing music for radio, he was so busy elsewhere. And, to think I thought he became something like a Michael Jackson or a Whitney Houston, instead be became something like a Paul Simon or a Bono from U-2 or the singer from the Police.

Friday June 29, 2012, 1:40 pm
All the more reason I'm glad to bring the goodness of Harry Chapin to a few more people. Spread the word about this gracious man and his Foundation.

Monday July 2, 2012, 9:40 am
Thank you Dandelion for sharing this most LOVELY information. Of course I've heard his music but was unaware of Harry Chapin and his HONOR*ABLE*ity. As I've said a million times before I BELIEVE IT A SIN to waste one drop of H2o or one grain of rice. The amount of food that is tossed in the trash is quite unacceptable in my opinion. As many of you know I have been a gardener (I say small farmer) and couldn't take one penny for 10 bushels of whatever veggie or fruit any given day! EVERYTHING IS DONATED to those in need. This INFORMATION AND EDUCATION of Harry Chapin has made my day!
***Kathy M*** Thank you for signing the petition "Make Food Rescue Donations from Food Establishments Mandatory/Support the Mitro/McHenry Mandatory Food Rescue Donation Law"
I have been a long time supporter of Feeding America and 'Food Establishments' are happy to be of service in their community. WHO WOULD PREFER to through out food rather than save a life?
Forgive me for my rant, but even though I don't know Wendy W., I am pushing her Change.org petition.

I CAN'T WAIT TO FINISH YOUR NEWS Dandi..."The Cat's in The Cradle" will be turned full volume:) WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START MY DAY...

Monday July 2, 2012, 9:42 am
Oh Dandi I realize I got very off track. Please forgive me.

Monday July 2, 2012, 9:45 am
You were on subject Susanne. I'm glad you feel so strongly on the hunger issue that we face in this Country as many think it only happens somewhere else. I've been delighted to bring to more peoples awareness what a kind hearted man Harry Chapin was, and his good works his Foundation is still doing.

Monday July 2, 2012, 1:36 pm
Thank you Dandelion for the great article and SuSanne for forwarding.

Monday July 2, 2012, 6:32 pm
Thanks Dandelion, & SuSanne for fwd. Loved his music & works

Tuesday July 3, 2012, 10:53 pm
I remember the day Harry died...I was mortified! "Cat's in the cradle"
always made me cry. A man of such talent and Laurels deserved so much more
notarity and exposure than what was given him. Thank you for the info on
Harry's life and accomplishments Sheryl and the forward Sus.
Love you both :)

Wednesday July 4, 2012, 4:07 pm
we live on and give value to life by that which we leave behind....
thanks!

Friday July 6, 2012, 2:18 am
thanks

Tuesday July 17, 2012, 5:43 am
Noted & posted to FB. What a good man and musician he was. It is good to know his good works are still being kept alive by others who care.