Brookhaven Academy plays host to the State AA BasketballTournament starting today, but school officials are not looking atit as just a tournament.

“We’re looking at this as a chance to really help with a cause,”said Lindy Gray, who is organizing the tournament. “This is abasketball tournament, but our mission is to share the idea ofunity and to glorify God for blessing us.”

The theme for the tournament is “Welcome to the Big Show,” andthe decorations feature circus images. Gray was shopping in Targetone day when she saw a chance to tie together basketball andcharity.

“I saw these little Ty beanie baby elephants with tags on themthat said $1.50 would go to St. Jude (Children’s Research Hospital)for every elephant sold,” she said. “I realized it would go greatwith our circus theme.”

So Gray got on the phone with Target and St. Jude and rounded upas many of the leftover beanie babies as she could find. They willbe sold at the tournament, with all proceeds to go directly to St.Jude.

“They’ll be on sale at the south end of the gym,” said Gray.”Anyone can buy them, but there are limited quantities.”

Gray said she knew she was on the right track when thedecorating crew was putting up the circus effects in the gym, andthe pizza they ordered from Domino’s Pizza came in boxes that hadthe St. Jude logo on the side.

“St. Jude is just such an important cause,” said Gray. “I’m justglad we were able to put this all together to benefit them. We wantto help any way we can.”

The stuffed elephants aren’t the only St. Jude link, either.There is a possibility of St. Jude patients sharing their storiesat halftime and between the games.

“We’re also hoping to have a visit from Big Al, the mascot fromthe University of Alabama,” said Gray, who went on to say Big Alcould visit on Friday or Saturday, depending on whether flightarrangements could be made.

The Showstoppers dance teams will also perform at halftime andbetween games on two of the days.

Gray and other officials are excited about the games, which takeplace tonight, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Still, they see thecharity work as the bigger picture.

“We’re not a Christian school as such,” said Gray, “But we dohave our mission statement based on spiritual values. We reallywant to use this as a chance for the state to see what BrookhavenAcademy stands for.”