The Steamboat Symphony Orchestra is reporting it has received a $500,000 donation from Sara Craig-Scheckman, giving the local nonprofit new opportunities to support music and music education throughout the Yampa Valley.

According to a news release, the large donation was made in honor of Craig-Scheckman’s mother, Kathleen Willis Craig, who was a dedicated supporter of the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, performing arts in the community and local education.

“A gift and donation of this magnitude to our organization is one that creates profound, long-term positive impacts,” said Jennifer Grathwohl, executive director of the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, in a statement. “With this generosity, we will be establishing our first endowment, securing a sustainable future for the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, allowing us to continue our impactful work with students and musicians of all ages, as well as share our world-class and innovative programming with the Yampa Valley.”

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The Steamboat Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 31st year and offers season concerts and free ensemble performances throughout the year. The organization also provides instruction and funding for the Steamboat Springs High School Orchestra, which is composed of students from various schools in the region.

“Sara’s remarkable gift to the SSO represents an affirmation of our past, a confirmation of our present efforts and a bridge to our future,” said Ernest Richardson, music director and conductor. “As a steward of the resources invested in our organization I am grateful, humbled and inspired by Sara’s gift in honor of her mother’s life and in her memory.”

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For more about the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, go to SteamboatSymphony.org.