Raymond Felton continues to prove his clout on the basketball court. Now, he’s proving he believes in using what he’s accomplished to inspire others.

Further placing roots in this community, Felton has chosen to volunteer his time and his image to spread the word about an organization I hold dear. He’s signed up to be a “Big Brother” to a really special 6th grader named Ricky. I serve on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters here in Charlotte, and we’re obviously excited when any qualified adult wants to get involved. We’re even more excited when it’s someone so notable, who also agrees to help kick off a major promotional effort for the organization.

Felton is the first to star in the “Big Dreams” campaign. Keep an eye out for the pictures and the public service announcements in the days to follow.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has expanded a lot in recent years. Volunteers now serve roughly 2,000 children in this community, providing one-on-one mentoring in a variety of environments. At the end of each board meeting, we hear a story from a Big Brother or Big Sister about the impact the relationship is having on them. And almost without question, you’ll see a few of us fighting back tears. In fact, I recently had the chance to talk with a 16 year old girl matched with her Big Sister more than two years ago. The impact on her life since, she says, has been dramatic. When she’s tempted by things she should not do, she thinks of her Big Sis and often calls her for advice. The organization isn’t seeking to replace the single parent usually involved in these situations, only to offer a helping hand if the parent agrees.

Now, one more child is getting that help and Raymond Felton just happens to be the Big involved.

During a news conference revealing the media campaign Thursday, Felton's new "little" stole the hearts of the crowd as he listed all the ways he thinks the match will help him. Ricky even mentioned how he plans to hold Felton to at least two visits a month. That got a chuckle from those in the audience and from Raymond himself, who was behind Ricky on stage.

I’ll conclude with a quote from Felton about why he's getting involved. He says, “Having a close-knit and strong family was significant in me reaching where I am today. By joining with a great organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters, I hope to play an important role with our leads of the future and help them in the way my own family was so supportive of me.”

Click here to watch the PSA. Click here for more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Click here to e-mail Bobby Sisk