(Shreveport, LA) – United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA) partnered with Bossier Parish Schools to host the largest district-wide volunteer day for students, parents, educators, and more. Volunteers consisted of 23 teams representing different K-12 Bossier schools that partnered with a nonprofit agency across Bossier and Caddo parishes. The school teams collectively held 15 collection drives and completed seven in-person projects. Bossier Schools saved local nonprofits more than $8,000 in labor costs, and the collection drives yielded more than 19,000 essential items, surpassing their total of 15,000 in 2021.

Legacy Elementary’s volunteer project consisted of helping the Bossier Sheriff’s Office organize its food pantry for its Operation Blessing program. “This is a project that we have been passionate about for a long time, working with the Sheriff’s Department and Operation Blessing,” said Megan Hembree, Legacy Elementary Assistant Principal. “Our kids get to be the hands and do the work and feel the fulfillment of giving. I think as an elementary school, giving them a service opportunity is creating long-lasting memories and instilling some of those things that we want them to grow into as adults.”

Volunteers are the backbone of nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits often do not have the financial resources or manpower to hire outside help to complete everything needed for upkeep. That’s where volunteers come in. This year, approximately 141 volunteers from Bossier Schools participated in community service while learning about civic needs.

“Day of Service with Bossier Parish Schools allows students, teachers, and staff members to participate in meaningful volunteer opportunities that tackle some of our community’s toughest problems, such as food insecurity, access to essential items, and environmental health,” said Raavin Evans, UWNWLA Director of Community Impact. “The volunteer’s effort and commitment are the building blocks for a stronger and healthier Northwest Louisiana.”

Once all projects were completed, UWNWLA and Bossier Schools held a wrap-up party for the volunteers, where there was food, mini-golf, face painting, and several other fun activities. The Spirit Award recipient was announced at the party for showing the most spirit on social media by posting pictures and videos of their team’s project. The first-place winner was Kingston Elementary, Apollo Elementary took second place, and third place went to Greenacres Beta Club.

UWNWLA is proud to have partnered with Bossier Parish 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(s) of their choice:

Collection Drive Airline Blue Jackets Volunteers of America NWLA
Collection Drive Apollo Elementary Christian Service
In-Person Project & Collection Drive Bellaire Elementary Bomber Squad Geaux 4 Kids/Community Clean Up
In-Person Project Benton Elementary Keep Bossier Beautiful
In-Person Project Benton High School Baseball Team Keep Bossier Beautiful
Collection Drive Benton Intermediate Student Council United Way of NWLA
In-Person Project Benton Middle School National Junior Honor Society American Red Cross
Collection Drive Bossier Education Service Center Basic Necessities
Collection Drive BPSTIL Renzi Education and Art Center
Collection Drive Cope Middle School Military Club Geaux 4 Kids
Collection Drive Curtis Elementary 4H Cheerleaders St. Luke’s Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry, Inc
Collection Drive Elm Grove Elementary Providence House
In-Person Project Greenacres Beta Club United Way of NWLA &The Salvation Army
Collection Drive Haughton Elementary A.C.T.I.O.N. Food Pantry
Collection Drive Haughton High School Big Red Band Color Guard Community Renewal International
Collection Drive Kingston Elementary Robinson’s Rescue
In-Person Project Legacy Elementary Operation Blessing
Collection Drive Platt Elementary The Salvation Army
Collection Drive Princeton Elementary Humane Society of NWLA
Collection Drive R.V. Kerr Elementary United Way of NWLA
Collection Drive T.L. Rodes Elementary Pet Savers
Collection Drive W.T. Lewis Elementary Geaux 4 Kids
Collection Drive Waller Elementary Rocker’s Rescue

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