(Shreveport, LA) – United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA) partnered with Caddo Parish Public Schools to host its fifth annual district-wide volunteer day for students, parents, educators, and more. Volunteers consisted of 19 teams representing K-12 Caddo schools that partnered with a nonprofit agency across Bossier and Caddo parishes. Together, the teams completed three in-person projects and 16 collection drives. Their efforts yielded more than 8,028 essential items and made an impact of $13,075 in economic support.
Captain Shreve High School was one of the many schools that participated by hosting a collection drive. Thanks to the Captain Shreve Key Club, more than 250 cleaning supplies were collected and donated to Community Renewal’s Allendale Friendship House. “At Captain Shreve, we really take service seriously,” said Captain Shreve High School Teacher Henri Loridans. “We have a lot of different groups on our campus that participate, and Key Club is one of the oldest and most well-known. I could tell there was a lot of excitement to finally have our first project to do for the year, and it meant a lot to us. It feels great to come out here and have students show up on a Saturday to show that they care for the community.”
During Caddo’s Day of Service, 20 volunteers completed 74 hours of community service while learning about civic needs. Volunteers are the backbone of nonprofit organizations because nonprofits often do not have the financial resources or manpower to hire outside help for upkeep; that’s where volunteers come in. “We know participation of a single student group and their team captain makes a significant impact during our Day of Service events,” said Community Engagement & Creative Coordinator Harper McKnight. “This fall, multiple teams from high schools, such as Captain Shreve, Green Oaks, and Southwood, chose to go the extra mile. With four additional teams on board, our volunteers multiplied the opportunity to give back.”
Once all projects were completed, UWNWLA awarded its Spirit Award to the school team that showed the most spirit by posting pictures and videos of their team’s project on social media. Eden Gardens Magnet School earned this award for showing their outstanding commitment to the Renesting Project, Inc.
Caddo Schools surpassed expectations this year by recruiting more school teams to support more nonprofits and change lives in Northwest Louisiana. UWNWLA is proud to partner with Caddo Schools for another successful year of giving back to our community while teaching the importance of volunteerism to students and staff.
Participating schools and the nonprofit of their choice:
| Collection Drive | Basic Necessities | Southwood High School Student Council |
| Collection Drive | Christian Service Program | J.S. Clark Elementary School |
| Collection Drive | Christian Service Program | Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy Deca Chapter and Psychology Club |
| Collection Drive | Community Renewal Allendale Kids Friendship House | Captain Shreve High School |
| Collection Drive | Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana | Creswell Elementary |
| Collection Drive | Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana | National Elementary Honor Society and Student Council |
| In-Person Project | Geaux 4 Kids: Project Geaux Bags | Pine Grove Elementary School Student Council |
| In-Person Project | Geaux 4 Kids: Project Geaux Bags | Captain Shreve High School National Art Honor Society |
| Collection Drive | Northwest Louisiana Family Justice Center | Youree Drive Middle School Math Department |
| Collection Drive | Providence House | Donnie Bickham Middle School Student Council |
| Collection Drive | Providence House | Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy clubs & organizations |
| Collection Drive | Renesting Project, Inc. | Eden Gardens Magnet School |
| Collection Drive | Renesting Project, Inc. | Woodlawn Leadership Academy |
| Collection Drive | Renzi Education & Art Center | Captain Shreve High School Black Studies Association |
| Collection Drive | Robinson’s Rescue | Southwood High School Beta Club, Honor Society, & Z-Club |
| Collection Drive | The Hub: Urban Ministries | Caddo Middle Magnet School |
| In-Person Project | The Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana | Central Office Administration |
| Collection Drive | The Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana | Claiborne Magnet Elementary |
| Collection Drive | Volunteers of America North Louisiana | North Caddo High School Interact Club |
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