NEW YORK - JUNE 21: Pete Seeger attends WhyHunger's 35th anniversary celebration at Gotham Hall on June 21, 2010 in New York City. (Photos by Katya Moorman)
On Monday night I had the privilege of singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Pete Seeger. I was attending the WhyHunger-Chapin Awards Dinner: a yearly celebration of those who give back in both music and life to help those in the greatest need. A legendary musician, singer, songwriter and passionate activist Pete Seeger was the recipient of the this year's WhyHunger Chapin Award. Through his music and life, Pete focuses the world’s attention on poverty, hunger, racism, the environment, waterways, war and peace. It was inspiring to see someone who has never given up and keeps on contributing to the world and performing at the age of 91.
Fellow recipients at the event also include Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson, as well at Growing Home.
Growing Home is an organization that provides job training for homeless and low-income individuals in Chicago through a social enterprise business based on organic agriculture. Ashford and Simpson, 2010’s ASCAP-Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award recipients, are one of the most successful songwriting duos in the history of pop music and have earned 22 gold and platinum albums over the course of their career. In the tradition of WhyHunger cofounder Harry Chapin, the duo steeped themselves in humanitarian projects. They performed at Live Aid in 1985 and Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday. Val is on the ASCAP Board of Directors and is a spokesperson for the Speaking of Woman’s Health organization. Nick serves on the Board for George Faison’s Firehouse Theatre. They regularly perform at charity events, such as Atlanta’s 24th Annual Mayor’s MASKED Ball; and in support of the United Negro College Fund.
-Katya Moorman for the Printup List
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