Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) celebrated the legacy of legendary Long Island singer-songwriter and philanthropist Harry Chapin at the 21st edition of the “Just Wild About Harry” concert – an annual benefit held to raise funds and food donations for Long Island Cares – the trailblazing food bank Chapin launched in 1980.
Held on Sunday, July 21, the show featured more than three dozen musicians – including the first-ever “Just Wild About Harry” performance by Harry’s daughter, Jen Chapin. It was also the benefit concert’s first staging at Huntington’s Harry Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park after a nearly two-decade run at Nassau County’s Eisenhower Park.
Previously in April of 2022, Deputy Minority Leader Drucker filed legislation to formally codify July 16 – the date of Chapin’s untimely death in 1981 – as Harry Chapin Day in Nassau County and has held multiple food drives to support Long Island Cares. This year, Deputy Minority Leader Drucker has incorporated a food drive into his office’s annual National Night Out celebration at Plainview’s Mid Island Y JCC on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
“What an absolutely beautiful night spent enjoying the enduring music of Harry Chapin at Huntington’s Harry Chapin Rainbow Stage, where his name is prominently displayed - as it should be!” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “I am deeply grateful to the Chapin Family and Long Island Cares for keeping his legacy alive and so tirelessly continuing Harry’s fight to end food insecurity here on Long Island. It has truly been an honor to partner with them on so many events over the years, and I thank the Town of Huntington, the Folk Music Society of Huntington and the Huntington Arts Council for continuing this amazing tradition.”