Natchez &8212; Even before beginning formal fundraising efforts, a group anxious to restore the Natchez veterans memorial has raised $10,000.

But the Community Alliance, which has undertaken the restoration project, has a long way to go &8212; and a long list of ways residents can help.

&8220;We&8217;re hoping to generate $25,000 in a variety of ways,&8221; said Mark LaFrancis, chairman of the alliance&8217;s committee to restore the monument and a veteran himself.

The veterans memorial, located at Memorial Park downtown, has suffered weather damage and vandalism over the years. Some of the marble tiles have been chipped or fallen off completely.

The committee hopes not only to restore the monument but to add lighting, benches and, eventually, an eternal flame. The monument was built with piping for that purpose.

The first phase of fund-raising is fairly simple: Anyone interested in donating to the restoration fund can send a check to Ralph Tedder at the Natchez Recreation Department, Duncan Park Ave., Natchez, MS 39120. Checks can be made out to Natchez Recreation Department Veterans Memorial Fund.

Already the group has received a $7,000 donation from Friends of Vietnam Veterans and another $3,000 in private donations and pledges, LaFrancis said.

But outright donations are just the beginning. Last week LaFrancis distributed nearly 10,000 fliers to area schools that will contribute in a Pennies for Patriots campaign.

&8220;We want students and teachers to donate only what they feel they can,&8221; he said. &8220;We want no competition &8230; we want them to give purely out of the generosity of their own hearts.&8221;

Pennies &8212; or any coins, for that matter &8212; will be collected at all of the Natchez public, private and parochial schools, as well as Vidalia Junior High and Vidalia Upper Elementary schools.

&8220;We want to raise money and give children a chance to have a stake in the beautiful veterans memorial,&8221; LaFrancis said. &8220;Often (children) have a desire to help patriots and veterans, but they don&8217;t know how.&8221;

The Pennies for Patriots campaign will begin in schools Jan. 1 and continue to Jan. 27.

In February, the committee has planned a Pins for Patriots bowling tournament. Lane and team sponsorships of $100 each are available for the Feb. 12 tournament, which will be held at Rivergate Bowl.

The tournament will have five-person teams, with prizes based on achievement, LaFrancis said.

But, he said, &8220;the real winner here is the veterans memorial.&8221;

The committee will also ask local groups, such as churches and civic organizations, to hold at least one individual fundraiser for the memorial renewal effort.

In the spring, the committee plans to renew the buy-a-brick campaign, in which local residents can buy a brick in honor or memory of a loved one whose name is inscribed on the bricks surrounding the memorial.

Box:

Fundraisers for Veterans memorial

Individual donations: May be sent to Ralph Tedder at the Natchez Recreation Department, Duncan Park Ave., Natchez, MS 39120. Checks can be made out to Natchez Recreation Department Veterans Memorial Fund.

Pennies for Patriots: Local schools and other institutions will host collection containers from Jan. 1-27.

Pins for Patriots: Rivergate Bowl will host a bowling tournament fundraiser at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12. Team and lane sponsorships are available for $100 each.