NATCHEZ &045; According to those who attended school there, Sadie V. Thompson High gave much to the community &045; and on Saturday, it was time for the community to give back to Sadie V. Thompson High.

That was the day station WTYJ-FM held a &uot;radio-thon&uot; to raise funds to match a state grant to replace the historic building’s aging roof. A youth dance was set for Saturday night, also as a fund-raiser.

Prior to Saturday, the SVT Era Foundation had raised $14,000 to match the $80,000 Department of Archives and History grant and still had $6,000 left to raise.

And time is of the essence. &uot;If we don’t raise (the match) by June 30, it loses the grant,&uot; said volunteer Katie Ruth Moore, the foundation’s secretary.

A total of how much the station, and volunteers stationed just inside the school’s entrance, raised in the four-hour radio-thon was not available as of later Saturday afternoon.

The foundation plans to hold one fund-raiser a week until the June 30 deadline, although details of upcoming events weren’t available Saturday.

The money will be used to re-roof the cafeteria, gym and auditorium, Moore said.

Archives and History approved the grant in December 2003 to help renovate the building, which served as a high school for black students before integration.

Such repairs are needed to keep the building, which houses the Boys & Girls Club of the Miss-Lou, in good condition and help preserve a historic landmark.

To donate funds for the match, call Katie Ruth Moore at 445-5957 or Leroy White at 446-7734. Or drop off donations at the foundation’s meeting at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Thompson Building, which is located on North Union Street.