Longtime Patron Donates Estate To Sacramento Ballet

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- A longtime patron of the Sacramento Ballet has left his estate to the dance company.

The Sacramento Bee reports that on Thursday an estate sale auctioned off the belongings of 77-year-old Terence Williams for the benefit of the ballet company. Williams left everything he owned and his savings to the ballet, a gift that could provide 10 percent of the company's budget this year.

Ballet Artistic Director Ron Cunningham says the organization could receive $200,000 from Williams' estate. The donation could help cover payroll, fund performances or pay for improvements at its theater.

Williams was an avid fan of the ballet. He attended dress rehearsals, private events and even went to China with the company in 2007, climbing the Great Wall with members of the group.