The Railroad Park area will be full of Brookhaven ballers theweekend of March 28, if Big Brothers Big Sisters leaders haveanything to do with it.

The organization is holding its annual fundraiser, “Hoops forKids’ Sake,” on Saturday, March 28. Officials are looking forsponsors and participants to help make the event a special one forthe whole family.

“We’d really like for the community to get involved, because allthe funds that are raised go to support the program here,” saidMaxine Jones, Southern Region Programming Manager and AssistantDirector of Programs.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a program that matches up highschool-aged mentors with elementary school children. The mentorshelp the children with their homework and spend quality time withthem, basically giving them someone to be a positive role model intheir lives.

“With everything that’s going on, we provide positive rolemodels, not only for tutorial, but for helping children buildself-esteem and self-confidence,” Jones said. “This program showskids a better way to go than to get into trouble, and it encouragesthem to stay in school.”

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program currently serves around 220kids in both city and county schools, Jones said. Proceeds bothfrom corporate sponsors and from the tournament itself will go tothe program.

Company sponsors can have their logos put on the back boardswith a donation of $125, $250 or $500, and the three-man teams areasked to raise at least $100 in donations for Big Brothers BigSisters.

“We’d like for each team to raise $500 but we’ll take whateverwe can get,” said Jones. “We’re asking for at least $100 perteam.”

There will be brackets in several age divisions from ages 6-100,Jones said, for men’s teams, women’s teams, and co-ed teams. Eachdivision will have trophies and recognition for the winners, Jonessaid.

“It’s a family day,” she said. “We encourage church teams, ifyou’re in church leagues, really anyone that wants to participatethat day. This is a day for the community to come out and supporteach other. We feel the community will rally around us.”

And there will be food vendors on site the day of thetournament, but Jones said other vendors interested in bringingtheir wares are welcome. Booths are $35.

Jones said anyone with questions about the tournament or aboutsetting up vending booths can contact Dr. Marylin Dow-Harris at601-833-7472 or 601-754-7577.