Local singer-songwriter Braiden Sunshine has joined the ever-growing list of those offering support in the wake of the government shutdown that was suspended Friday.

Sunshine, 18, a freshman at the University of Connecticut, auctioned off a performance to the highest bidder with a promise to donate the money to Coast Guard personnel impacted by the shutdown. Teacher Emma Stewart was the winner with a $500 bid. Others decided to donate too, even though they didn't win, for a total of $600.

Sunshine, a semi-finalist in season 9 of NBC's "The Voice," said he was blown away by the total as he was expecting to raise around $100.

He donated the money — in the form of grocery store cards — Friday to the southeastern Connecticut chapter of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association, which has organized a food pantry at the Coast Guard Academy for affected federal employees.

Sunshine, of Lyme, said that Stewart has asked him to perform for her students, and wants to use the performance as a lesson to her students about how young people can make a difference.

Sunshine said his message to the students will be this: "It doesn't matter how young you are. If you have an idea, and you want to make a difference, you can."

Though he's 18, Sunshine said he still "wholeheartedly" considers himself a kid.

The concert is his way of saying thank you to the Coast Guard, which didn't get paid during the shutdown. He said he recently read a news report that a boater needed assistance and the Coast Guard came to the rescue.

"I want to thank them for continuing to protect us, and always constantly being there for us, even when they're not being compensated," he said.

j.bergman@theday.com