I am entering this piano restoration sweepstakes in honor of my parents and the generations of memories tied to our family piano. For decades, this piano has been a cherished centerpiece in my parents’ home, inspiring a love of music, creativity, and connection. Despite many challenges, my parents have always used their talents to bless not only our family but also the broader community. The piano entered our lives as a gift from my great aunt. Knowing that my parents were a young family just starting out, she generously gave it to us in the hopes that it would enrich our home as music had enriched hers. Little did she know how profoundly her gift would shape not only our family but also the lives of many others. Each of my siblings and I learned to play on this piano. We took lessons from a dear family friend, whose close bond with my mother extended beyond music. Later, when our church needed an organist, my mother began taking lessons herself, demonstrating her willingness to serve wherever she was needed. As the years went on, my mother turned her musical skills into a way to help our family financially. She began teaching piano lessons in our modest living room, where she shared her passion for music with countless children, many of whom came from underserved communities. She often charged little or nothing for lessons because her mission wasn’t about profit—it was about ensuring every child who wanted to learn had the chance. My mother often said “The goal was to give every child that wanted it, the experience to create music, to feel that light in their life”. For 25 years, she nurtured young musicians, hosting recitals in our small home, where families would gather to celebrate their children’s achievements. As her children, we were always a part of these recitals, often performing several pieces to help fill the program. Though we sometimes grumbled about it, these moments became cherished memories. Our piano was the heart of our home—a symbol of joy, perseverance, and community. Music became a family tradition that extended beyond the piano. We often gathered around it to sing, inspiring my father to join the church choir and our family to perform in special musical numbers, both formally and informally. The venues were sometimes quite large and others just a few of us on the piano bench. This love for music spread to our cousins and, eventually, to the next generation. My father still challenges himself to learn new songs, often performing alongside his grandchildren, who are now taught by my mother. We often listen to the grandchildren perform their musical numbers at Christmas time. Many of them duets with my mother on this old heirloom. Beyond our home, the piano played a key role in our faith. My mother used it to serve in church, playing hymns and special numbers. She would spend countless hours practicing a habit she continues today. Though she often felt nervous, she found great spiritual fulfillment in her role. She has said that no other responsibility has strengthened her faith more than her years of service at the piano. In the quiet moments of practice and preparation, she felt the Savior’s support. Today, the piano is in desperate need of restoration. Its keys stick, its sound is out of tune, and it has quirks that only its long-time players understand. When my parents sought a professional estimate, the cost—between $5,000 and $10,000—was far beyond their means. This is why we are so hopeful about the opportunity to win this sweepstakes. Restoring this family heirloom would preserve its history and allow it to continue its mission of bringing joy and inspiration through music. This piano represents more than just an instrument; it embodies our family’s legacy of music, faith, and service. We hope to see it restored so it can bless future generations. " "The piano’s history is a mystery in many ways. Through some research, we discovered it was likely built in New York City over 130 years ago. Its craftsmanship is remarkable, though time has taken its toll. When I reached out to my great uncle—whose late wife originally gifted the piano to us—he couldn’t recall its origins or the details of how it came into their possession. We do know the story of how it came to our family. As a young family, my parents were surprised to receive such a generous gift from my great aunt. She had wanted to pass the piano along, but none of her children were interested in keeping it. Moving it was no small task. The piano, incredibly heavy, had to be carried down a steep slope and stairs before it was loaded onto a truck bed. Lessons were learned that day, and my father still remembers the effort it took to bring this piece of history into our home. Since then, the piano has always been moved carefully, on rollers or in a low trailer. Despite its quirks, it has been a constant presence in our lives, quietly connecting our family to a history we are only beginning to uncover. 

• YEAR 1800-1900
• MAKE Schubert Piano Company
• FINISH Walnut, Wood Finish
• CATEGORY CONTESTANT