CRESTVIEW — Sharon Jackson wants to enhance the city’s musical offerings with her gift of a Wurlitzer electronic organ.
The organ had been in Jackson's family for years.
"We had it a long time. It's a beautiful organ," Jackson said. "It's a family piece. I used to play it. I had a couple grandkids who'd play on it once in a while."
However, because of lack of space in their home, Jackson's family moved the organ to their covered porch, and protected it with a plastic sheet.
Jackson called city clerk Betsy Roy in mid-May and offered the instrument to the city for use in Warriors Hall.
Roy had the organ transported to the Stillwell Boulevard auditorium, and contacted the Friends of the Arts to see if the group could evaluate the organ and contribute toward its maintenance if the city accepted it.
The organization provided and maintains the Warriors Hall grand piano and produces arts events benefiting improvements to the facility.
Mary Mancini, a Friends member and former music storeowner, is having the organ evaluated by a trained technician, Friends President Rae Schwartz told the City Council at a May 21 meeting.
Schwartz said she would present the council with the technician's evaluation of the organ.
"If it's reasonable, we will certainly take it on and maintain it," Schwartz said.
Roy said if the organ is in good condition, it will enhance services offered by the auditorium.
Jackson said she hopes children might take organ lessons on it.
Her son, Chris, said the family is at peace knowing the instrument will keep making music.
"We were glad to see it go to someone who can use it," he said. "We were afraid with bad weather coming it would get ruined sitting on the front porch."
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Resident donates Wurlitzer organ to Warriors Hall