Mystery Gift Keeps on Giving

As a part of a musical family, Cindy Rogers had grown up playing the piano. Unfortunately, Rogers was unable to afford a piano after she became a single mom. However, she continued to play for her neighborhood and her local church even though she did not have a piano to practice on.

One day while at work, a neighbor called Rogers about a strange delivery at her home. She rushed home to find men trying to move a piano into her living room. The movers insisted the piano and a piano tuner had been paid for.

“I was stunned,” Rogers said. “I had absolutely no idea where it came from and the movers had no idea.”

After her circumstances changed for the better, Rogers knew it was time to give her piano to someone else in need.

“I would have never thought to sell it because it was given to me,” Rogers said. “But I wanted it to be somewhere people who could not afford one could just enjoy it.”
Rogers generously donated her piano to the South Franklin Community Center in Provo in order to benefit as many people as possible.

“The entire South Franklin neighborhood can benefit from the piano,” said Rachel Bennion, an AmeriCorps VISTA with United Way of Utah County who works with the Community Center. “It will provide opportunities for adults and children to learn through music.”

The piano has already been put to use in LDS institute classes taught at the Community Center. Starting this month, the Community Center will now offer piano lessons taught by volunteers as well as open hours for piano practice. A volunteer is even offering lessons to preschool-age children and their mothers to help foster brain development.

“It is a good way to help the community residents feel empowered. It will also give them confidence as they set and accomplish their goals,” Bennion said.

To this day, Rogers still does not know who gave her the piano.

“For years and years it brought joy and music in our home, and now we can pass it on to other people who can enjoy it,” Rogers said.

The South Franklin Community Center in Provo focuses on community development. The Community Center offers a variety of classes including ESL, nutrition classes and youth dance classes as well as sponsoring a free soccer league for kids in the area.