The organizers of Natchez Opera Festival know without community support they would not exist.

&uot;We want to thank them for everything they’ve done,&uot; said Dr. Don Killelea, festival chairman.

Thanks to the community the festival is already preparing for its annual May 2000 festival.

&uot;We are looking forward to our 10th year (but) there is a lot more to be done,&uot;&160;Killelea said. &uot;Keep us in mind for contributions.&uot;

The festival is now trying to raise $27,000 in matching grants to continue renovations at its new location – the Margaret Martin School Auditorium on Homochitto Street.

The festival will lose the money it can not match and so far has raised about $15,000.

&uot;We are well on our way but we need more,&uot; Killelea said.

The festival has already invested $150,000 in Martin School and needs to continue the work.

But the cost of holding the May 1999 festival plus the renovating costs has been a large financial obligation, said a letter from the festival.

&uot;With the added expense of moving and total renovations, we need your additional help to put us over the top as we enter the new millennium,&uot; the letter said.

The festival is also gearing up for its Christmas Programs. The festival will hold a fund raiser this December called the Millennium Celebration.

And the opera &uot;Amahl and the Night Visitors&uot; will be performed Dec. 17 – 23 at Martin School.

Individuals can make contributions to: the Natchez Opera Festival, P.O. Box 2207, Natchez, Miss. 39121.