Chun obtained shore leave rights for Chinese seamen during World War II and helped establish the Chinese Seamen's Club at 24 Pell Street.
Chun championed the right of Chinese students to attend public universities in New York. He negotiated with the health department to allow Chinese grocers to continue selling chickens and ducks with their heads on, a Chinese tradition.
He convinced city government officials to identify Chinatown street signs, police call boxes, and subway station signs in both English and Chinese.
Through Chun's efforts, the city added a Chinese decorative touch to Chinatown's street lights and telephone booths.
He persuaded the sanitation department to clean streets in Chinatown on a more frequent basis.
Chun strongly supported the Chinese School at 62 Mott Street
and funded a scholarship in his name that still exists today.He helped start the Confucius Plaza housing project in Chinatown. He frequently escorted elderly Chinese to Beekman Street Hospital for medical and social services.
Chun Kong Chow was active in many of the civic organizations; he was president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Chin Family Association and also served on many other civic organizations.
