UNITED WAY’S EIGHTH ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE WITH BOSSIER SCHOOLS

(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:

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