A new push for Harry Chapin postage stamp

Long Islander Harry Chapin, who died 30 years ago, was many things -- musician, activist, philanthropist. His supporters hope he'll be one more: an image on a postage stamp.

Long Island Cares, the Hauppauge food bank that he founded in 1980, is urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp in honor of the late musician and his efforts to end hunger.

Paule Pachter, executive director of the food bank, said that since January, 6,000 postcards in support of the effort have been sent to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, the Washington, D.C.-based group that selects stamp designs from among mail-in proposals. The food bank plans on recruiting people to send 6,000 more. "What it will do is promote the issue of ending hunger," he said.

At a news conference yesterday, several Town of Huntington officials announced their support for the idea, including council members Mark Mayoka and Susan Berland.

Saturday will mark the 30th anniversary of Chapin's death. He died at age 38 in a Long Island Expressway crash on his way to perform at Eisenhower Park.

A Chapin stamp has been proposed previously, including an attempt in 1999 that involved asking schoolchildren to enter a contest to create the stamp's design.

To obtain a postcard to support the Chapin stamp, call 631-582-3663, ext. 124, or email mhaynes@licares.org.