When you think about volunteering, you might picture helping at a food pantry or cleaning up a park. For Findlay District Line Coordinator Elijah Cunningham, it looks and sounds a little different.
“I started singing around age 8 in musicals,” Elijah said. “By 14, I started taking it more seriously.” He’s turned that passion into a way of giving back, one that brings people to their feet.
Making A Difference
Elijah’s volunteering helps honor veterans in a moment they will never forget. That kind of impact sticks.
For the past four years, he’s sung the national anthem for Flag City Honor Flight. The program sends veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor.
For many of those veterans, it’s an emotional, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Elijah gets to be part of that moment.
Busy, But Giving Back Anyway
Elijah’s schedule doesn’t slow down there.
He also serves as president of Gleaner Arbor No. 461, part of Gleaner Life, a nonprofit that helps members give back to their communities. Through local “arbors,” members plan volunteer projects and support causes close to home.
On top of that, Elijah coaches Upward Basketball and volunteers as a youth group leader at his church, mentoring young people and helping them grow.
Elijah’s story is a reminder that giving back doesn’t have to look one way. Whether it’s lending a hand, coaching a team or singing from the heart, it all comes down to showing up. Sometimes, the loudest “thank you” is a song.
“Giving my time creates a strong sense of meaning and identity. I get to support local resources that my loved ones use,” Elijah said.
Want to See It for Yourself?
If you’re in northwest Ohio, you can catch Elijah in action. He’s been invited to sing the national anthem at Grand Aire in Swanton on Sept. 15. Take a listen to a sneak peek of his powerful voice:
