Artists help Long Island food bank's 'Beat an End to Hunger' program
Harry Chapin's connection to music continues to help the food bank he founded in 1981, thanks to the "Beat an End to Hunger" initiative.
Long Island Cares Harry Chapin Food Bank's ongoing campaign gives the public a chance to help their community and own a signed, custom-framed drumhead from their favorite artists.
The drumheads currently in stock have been signed by Long Island alternative rock band Brand New, "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, comedian Chris Tucker, Grammy Award winner Bonnie Raitt, Frank Beard of ZZ Top, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, British group Squeeze and country artists Eric Church and Luke Bryan.
The artists signed the drumheads during concerts at the Paramount in Huntington and NYCB Theatre at Westbury, and even at the American Country Awards in Las Vegas.
Paule Pachter, executive director of Long Island Cares, said the idea for the campaign came about because of Chapin's music industry connections and the need to secure additional money for the organization's Endowment Fund.
"Because Harry Chapin had so many friends and colleagues in the music industry, we thought there must be a way to get them involved in some aspect of our work," Pachter said of the late singer.
Pachter said local radio stations and concert venues helped arrange the signings.
"We've probably sold 40 drumheads already," he said. "It's been very rewarding and has been a part of the process of us being able to increase the fund to a half-million dollars already. We've already sold drumheads signed by Billy Joel, Carrie Underwood and Don Henley from the Eagles."
All of the proceeds from the drumheads will benefit the Endowment Fund, which will be used in the event that the organization should need it at some point.
Each of the current drumheads — custom-framed with the artist's signature and a pair of drumsticks — runs from $150 to $500. For more information, call Long Island Cares at 631-582-3663, ext. 105.
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