NATCHEZ — Ralph Vicero and Adrian Bernotti allow the Historic Natchez Foundation an opportunity to lift off when it comes time for the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

For the past four years, Vicero and Bernotti have volunteered for Historic Natchez Foundation selling Great Mississippi River Balloon Race T-shirts for the Historic Natchez Foundation.

“They’re an invaluable asset, not only to us here at the foundation, where we sell the shirts, but also to the balloon race,” said deputy director of Historic Natchez Foundation Trevor Brown. “They are here for two weeks straight, and it takes a burden off of us and allows us to do the things we need to do.”

Vicero has volunteered with Historic Natchez Foundation in the past when he was a dean at California State University, Northridge.

During Vicero’s tenure at the university, he would bring students from California to Natchez where they would fund Historic Natchez Foundation’s courthouse record projects.

“It’s ironic that he has ended up retiring to Natchez,” said executive director of Historic Natchez Foundation Mimi Miller.

Bernotti has offered his time and services to the Natchez Little Theatre as well, using his experience from the television and film business to help out with anything needed.

“I’m here because of him (Ralph),” Bernotti said. “He’s a good friend and it’s fun to work together.”

Vicero and Bernotti said they like helping because of their love to the Historic Natchez Foundation.

“It’s one of the great institutes of Natchez,” Vicero said.

All proceeds from shirt sales go on to support Historic Natchez Foundation.

“Knowing that we are helping the Historic Natchez Foundation and seeing customers enter the facility to buy a shirt makes it worth while,” Bernotti said.

The duo said they think the Historic Natchez Foundation is an important part of Natchez history.

And although they don’t have to live in Natchez, they choose to remain and help it grow, even If that means selling T-shirts.

“A lot of people can’t afford to maintain these houses or historic properties,” Vicero said.

The foundation is a vital asset to the town, Bernotti said.

Vicero and Bernotti work six hours a day during balloon race season. Their last day at Historic Natchez Foundation is next Friday, before sale items move to Rosalie.

Miller said she’s grateful to Vicero and Bernotti for their assistance.

“We have a very small staff here at the foundation,” Miller said. “If it wasn’t for our volunteers, we would not be able to do what we have to do. The balloon race is a story of volunteers.”

Historic Natchez Foundation awarded Vicero and Bernotti volunteer of the year, and the two look to keep going.