The Larry Hughes Charity Weekend is July 31-Aug. 2. How many years have you done this and what do you hope to accomplish?
Hughes: "I’ve been involved with doing different activities for the foundation since I came into the league. I started doing this since I’ve been able to have a say. The goal is to raise money for families with kids who need organ and tissue donations. We also help people pay different bills such as electricity bills. We give money to different charities such as the Ronald McDonald House. Basically we try to help everybody who needs help when we can."

Hughes started doing his part for organ donation in earnest after his little brother needed his own transplant. (Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images)

What are some of the other activities the foundation has sponsored?
Hughes: "We donate money every year. A couple of years ago we did bowling. Every year we do something different. We like to be creative with it. We find a theme and run with it. A few years ago we found sponsors and did a contest where you shoot free throws for a dollar and the sponsor matches the amount."

Is there a specific dollar figure you try to raise yearly?
Hughes: "Not at all. Every dollar counts. We donate money out of our own pockets and we have no set goals. We do a lot of different things. We’re just trying to help out. We try to encourage all people to donate. Everybody needs to do it. Along with the Wizards, we do an Organ Donor Night and I think that is really important."

What was the process of getting Alonzo Mourning involved and how did you feel when he accepted?
Hughes: "Me and Alonzo share the same agent (Jeff Wechsler) and I’ve been around him since I came into the league. The condition with his kidney and the work I’m doing with my foundation have brought us closer together. I’ve talked to him about what he’s had to deal with and told him about what I’ve been through. Also, I’ve done Zo’s Summer Groove (an annual charity event that benefits local youth) since I came into the league. He always said if there was anything I could do to call, so we called him."

What is the most enjoyable part about being involved with this weekend?
Hughes: "I like being able to help. It makes you feel good to know someone got their bills paid or were able to go see the doctor they want. I enjoy making everyone happy. My mother, Vanessa, runs everything and makes sure that the money is spread around properly."

You were 17 when your little brother, Justin, received a heart transplant back in 1997. Can you talk about how difficult it was to deal with that at such a young age?
Hughes: "It was tough. I had basketball to help me out but it was a struggle. It was just me, Justin and my mother, so I knew I had to hold things down for the three of us. That was one of the main reasons I only played one year at Saint Louis University. I saw my mom struggling and I wanted to make things easier for her. "

How is Justin doing now?
Hughes: "He was only 11 when he had the transplant but he’s doing well. He just graduated high school this year. He’s living a normal life."

Does he play hoops, too?
Hughes: "He can’t really do too much exercise because he gets tired real quick. He shoots, though. He’ll be very involved this weekend."

Sticking with the hoops theme, talk a little bit about being reunited with Antawn Jamison.
Hughes: "It’s cool. We’re both in a different part of our careers than we were with the Warriors a few years ago. I’m happy to be playing with him again."

What do you think about the offseason moves the Wizards have made and what kind of team goals do you have for the upcoming season?
Hughes: "We have a solid team. We would’ve done better last year if it wasn’t for injuries. I don’t think we need to make too many changes. If we stay healthy, we’ll be fine."

Individually, what would you like to accomplish on the court?
Hughes: "I think I’m heading down the right path. I’ve proved a lot of different things and I hope to keep improving."