He was 11 years old. Christmas in East St. Louis, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River: 2009. Smith had big dreams and high hopes of presents under a tree, like any other kid his age.

“I remember my mom having to tell me it wasn’t going to happen — that we didn’t have enough (for gifts),” said Smith, now 24 and a resident of Fort Dodge. “I told myself I wanted to do whatever I could to make sure people — especially kids — will never have to go through that.”

Smith didn’t fully realize it at the time, but the struggles he faced as a youth ultimately became motivation in his adult life. All roads led to last Sunday, when Smith and his good friend, fellow Fort Dodger Daniel Petefish, hosted an event to raise money and collect toys for Athletes For Education & Success at the Boardroom Lounge featuring the Eagles Ballroom.

Smith’s popular group — the Tank Anthony Band — performed, along with well-known regional musicians Scott Kirkhart and Liv McNair.

Submitted photo
The Boardroom Lounge Featuring the Eagles Ballroom is shown before the "Power of Music" concert last Sunday, which brought regional musicians together to raise money and toys for AFES's annual "Community Christmas" project.

The concert, labeled “The Power Of Music,” raised nearly $2,500 in donations and an estimated $3,000 in toys for AFES’s annual “Community Christmas” project.

“It was pretty overwhelming to see that kind of support,” said Smith, who originally moved to Fort Dodge in 2018 to play football at Iowa Central Community College. “To watch 150 to 200 people enjoying good music, dropping off toys, making donations … especially after the work we put in to make it all happen. Very fulfilling, and a great turnout.

“Christmas is a stressful time for a lot of people. Knowing that we’re helping put a smile on the face of kids and families who would otherwise go without (during the holidays)…it means a lot to me. It just brings a smile to your face.”

Smith initially met AFES founder and Director Charles Clayton four years ago, when he visited the local organization’s campus with Triton football teammate and Fort Dodge Senior High graduate Austin Gehlhausen.

“Elijah’s been asking how he can help from day one,” Clayton said. “He indicated he wanted to do something for kids at Christmas time, and given we took over Operation Christmas a few years ago, something like this was just a natural fit. To see what the two of them (Smith and Petefish) put together (for AFES) … .it just goes to show we have people in our community capable and willing to make a huge impact. We’re incredibly grateful for their generosity and everyone who was involved with (The Power of Music show).

“If something like this happens yearly and takes off, it could grow (the Community Christmas project) by leaps and bounds. More importantly, it’s just great to see two younger people get involved and active in Fort Dodge. That’s always been my hope, so Elijah and Dan deserve a ton of credit for sharing their passion and doing something positive for our community.”

Petefish, like Smith, came to town as an Iowa Central athlete. He established roots here, and became fast friends with Smith as Fort Dodge became home.

“As outsiders not originally from this incredible community (Petefish moved here in 2015 to play rugby at Iowa Central), we were both immediately welcomed like we were family,” Petefish said. “No hesitation, no care in the world where we were from or what our pasts consisted of … this place took us in as if we shared the same bloodline as everyone. Gave us opportunities for personal development, work, and the chance to make lifelong friends, including each other.

“Because of the way we have been so blessed by this city, we wanted to give back. We worked (since October) to put together donations from the amazing businesses in this town and even some individual families. Through that support, we were able to raise over $2,300 in funds, as well as 12 bags full of toys.”

Smith recently founded the My Big Brother foundation. Petefish will serve as the organization’s vice president. Smith said the Power of Music concert was the first step in a detailed plan to help support youth in the area moving forward.

“We want to be there for the kids, listening and talking to them about mental health and any of the other struggles they may face,” Smith said. “Just give them a voice and let them know they’re not alone. If you offer a sense of purpose and direction when they’re young, that can keep them out of trouble. I know. I was in their shoes not long ago.

“I come from East St. Louis, which was once considered America’s murder capital. I know how it feels to be in an environment of strife and adversity. But that doesn’t mean you’re destined to follow a bad path or have to fall into bad habits. When I moved here, Jenny Shivers was my advisor (at Iowa Central). I immediately felt welcomed and got a good feel for what the community was going to offer. I saw, and still see, the kind of change that’s both needed and possible (in Fort Dodge). So why not be a part of the movement? That’s why we’re doing all of this.”

Smith is the drummer in the Tank Anthony Band, which also includes members Tank Anthony, Jeff Fosbender, Owen O’Brian and Alex Trevino. Anthony is a native of Texas and current Iowa Falls resident who moved to Iowa following a military career that included nine years in the Marine Corps and four years in the Army.

The band, which “produces a soulful country sound, with multiple-genre influence” according to its Facebook page, opened the 2022 Downtown Country Jam.

The Power Of Music event included raffle prize drawings and silent auction items. Area businesses who donated or supported the concert — and the AFES Community Christmas drive — included the BoardRoom Lounge, Sneakers, Shiny Top Brewing, Rides Bar and Grill, The Stadium, Old Boston’s, Larita’s Cakes and More, Dungeons and Dodgers, BorderPlains Industries, She Kandy Apparel, Luca and Wilson, Alpha Media, the Bennett family, the Ayala family, the Martinez family, and Marco Bautista of World Photography 60.