BOSSIER SCHOOLS TEAM SIGN UP - DAY OF SERVICE 2023
Each year, United Way of Northwest Louisiana partners with Bossier Parish Schools to host the largest district-wide volunteer day for students, parents, educators, and more. Volunteer school teams from the district partner with nonprofits across Bossier & Caddo Parishes to complete in-person projects or collection drives. United Way’s Days of Service initiative seeks to lessen the financial strain on labor costs and upkeep for our region’s most beloved nonprofits. Whether you are a Day of Service veteran or this is your first year to participate, we thank you for your dedication to serving our community. #BossierLivesUnited
Sign your school team up TODAY by clicking the button below and completing the form! Participating nonprofits, their projects, and the nonprofits already paired with a school team can also be viewed below. When you fill out the form, you will have the opportunity to choose the preferred nonprofit you would like your team to be paired with. We will try our very best to accommodate your preference. Project pairings are based on availability and need. Please note that not all nonprofit projects have been determined.
Project dates & times
In-person projects and inventories will take place on event day (September 30th) from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Teams participating in collection drives will begin collecting items the week before Day of Service on Saturday, September 30th.
Team Captain Meeting
On Thursday, September 26th, from 3 P.M. – 4 P.M., team captains will attend the team captain meeting at the Bossier Educational Service Center (2900 Douglas Drive) for in-depth project details.
Wrap-up party
Our third annual Wrap-Up Party will take place on the same day once projects are complete. Please join us at the Shelton Sports Complex (4007 Airline Drive), located behind Airline Baptist Church, from 12:30 P.M. – 2 P.M. The Wrap-Up Party will feature food and games and the announcement of our Spirit Award winner. We hope to see you there!
Questions?
If you have questions or concerns about Day of Service, please contact the Director of Community Impact, Raavin Evans, via raavin@unitedwaynwla.org or 318-606-6592.
Curious about the impact?
Thanks to the efforts of the Bossier Parish School teams, consisting of students, parents, faculty, and staff, 15 collection drives were held, and seven in-person projects were completed in 2022. The collection drives yielded more than 19,000 essential items and $8,000 of economic support. You can read more about last year’s impact here.
– PROJECTS AVAILABLE –
The projects listed below have been confirmed and are ready to be adopted by a Bossier Schools team. Check back soon for project additions. Thank you!
IN-PERSON PROJECTS
Community Renewal International
Community Renewal restores hope, rebuilds caring communities, and renews the spirit of cooperation in every segment of the community through their Renewal Team, Haven Houses, and Friendship Houses.
In-Person Project | 25 Volunteers Max | Appropriate for Grades 6th-12th, Adults
The Community Renewal International Barksdale Annex Friendship House is seeking volunteers to help with painting and assembling garden beds and planting new foliage. They also need assistance with cleaning baseboards, wiping down chairs and tables, and organizing their facility.
Fuller Center for housing
The Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana’s mission is to provide decent, affordable housing for families living in poverty.
In-Person Project| 10 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 9th-12th, Adults
The Fuller Center for Housing is seeking volunteers to assist with the rehabilitation of one of their home’s interior and exterior.
Operation Blessing
Operation Blessing continues to assist elderly and needy residents who otherwise might not have enough food. Operation Blessing was developed in 1998 the day before Thanksgiving. It is not just a holiday food program. The program operates year-round. It features a food bank and is staffed by the Bossier Sheriff’s Office Posse and Auxiliary volunteers.
bossiersheriff.com/operation-blessing
In-Person Project | 20 Volunteers Max | Appropriate for Grades 4th-5th
Operation Blessing needs the help of volunteers to organize, bag, and box up food for their food pantry. This will be indoors.
Northwest Louisiana Family Justice Center
It’s the Northwest Louisiana Family Justice Center’s mission to To provide a safe and accessible, central intake and service center for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking to receive comprehensive, coordinated community services during this very difficult time.
https://nwlafamilyjusticecenter.org/
In-Person Project| 6-12 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 6th-12th, Adults
The Northwest Louisiana Family Justice Center is a small agency and needs help with cleaning up its outside lawn, including hedge trimming, flower bed maintenance, and weed removal. The organization also needs assistance with organizing and cleaning its storage area.
Renzi Education & Art Center
The mission of the Renzi Education and Art Center is to provide free, high-quality after-school academic and art classes and summer camps to K-12 youth in the Shreveport-Bossier area so that all children have the opportunity to explore, learn, and create under the guidance of professional teachers and artists.
In-Person Project| 10 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Adult School Teams
The Renzi Education & Art Center is in need of assistance with beautifying their property by planting flowers and cleaning up the area.
The Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana
The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet human needs without discrimination.
In-Person Project | 15 Volunteers Max | Appropriate for Grades 6th-12th, Adults
The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to help with cleaning donated bicycles and airing up the tires. The bicycles will be repurposed to use for their Angel Tree initiative this Christmas.
United Way of Northwest Louisiana
United Way of Northwest Louisiana’s mission is to fight for the health, education, financial stability, and essential needs of everyone in every community.
In-Person Project| 10 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 4th-8th
We need assistance assembling 100 snack packs that will benefit children attending a local headstart. Volunteers will also assist with writing notes of encouragement to be included inside of the snack packs.
YMCA
The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
In-Person Project| 20 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 9th-12th, Adults
The YMCA is seeking volunteers to help with cleaning and moving equipment in their facility.
COLLECTION DRIVES
basic necessities
Basic Necessities’ mission is to provide diapers, period products, and incontinence supplies at no cost to people in the ArkLaTex who are experiencing economic challenges.
https://www.basicnecessitiesla.com/
Collection Drive
Basic Necessities is in need of the following to help their diaper bank provide much-needed products in our community:
- Baby diapers
- Training pants
- Wipes
- Period pads
- Tampons
All sizes are needed!
Community Renewal International
Community Renewal restores hope, rebuilds caring communities, and renews the spirit of cooperation in every segment of the community through their Renewal Team, Haven Houses, and Friendship Houses.
COLLECTION DRIVE:
Community Renewal is in need of the following items that they keep on hand and will share them across their community houses:
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Tissue
- Hand Soap
- Glass Cleaner
- All Purpose Cleaner
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Fabuloso
- Dishwashing Liquid
Geaux 4 Kids
Geaux 4 Kids, Inc. is an advocate for children in crisis going into emergency foster care situations and provides support for their well-being, while aiding the foster parents in the transition. This is done through various projects and collaborations.
Collection drive
Geaux 4 Kids has requested a collection drive and is in need of assembled snack packs with the following inside:
- Water
- Kid-friendly snack
- Note of encouragement – please write and decorate a note of encouragement on an index card
Please ensure each snack is placed in a Ziploc before accepting the donation.
Note of encouragement example:
Providence House
Providence House’s mission is “Breaking the homeless cycle one family at a time” by providing shelter, care, support, and encouragement for families in need.
Collection Drive:
Providence House is in need of the following items:
New standard-size pillows: Each of our 27 bedrooms has a full bed and twin bunks for parents and their children to share. As such, each bedroom needs four standard-size pillows. As our families move through the program into self-sufficiency, they take with them their bedding, pillows, towels, etc., to their new home. Therefore, new items are needed to replace the used ones. While we happily accept gently used bedding and towels, pillows are required to be new.Cleaning Supplies:
- bleach
- multipurpose cleaner
- disinfectant spray and wipes
- dish liquid
- laundry detergent
- air freshener plug-ins
- room spray
Robinson's Rescue
The mission of Robinson’s Rescue is to prevent pet overpopulation through high-quality, affordable spay and neuter surgeries while educating the community about responsible pet ownership.
Collection drive
Robinson’s Rescue has requested a collection drive and is in need of the following essential items:
- 1” masking tape
- AA batteries
- AAA batteries
- Antibacterial dishwashing soap
- Antibacterial hand soap
- Bleach
- Cat Carriers – New or gently used please
- Towels (any size), Flat sheets, Bedding, Blankets
- Dog treats
- Dry dog food
- Wet cat food
- Garden/insecticide sprayers
- Any cleaning products
- Paper towels
- Trash bags (13 and 39 gallon)
Dream List:Feral Cat traps ($60)Outdoor Concrete Benches (4)
The Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana
The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet human needs without discrimination.
COLLECTION DRIVE:
The Salvation Army is in need of the following items that will be utilized for food boxes and by their kitchen staff to prepare meals for those in need:
Canned Meat:
- Spam
- Tuna
- Vienna Sausage
Dry Goods:
- Cereals
- Rice
- Crackers
- Snacks
- Any other similar dry goods
st. luke's Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry
The mission of St. Luke’s Mobile Medical, a ministry of the Episcopal Church, is to improve the quality of life for those living in our communities of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Desoto, and Claiborne Parishes. St. Luke’s addresses the needs of the whole person – physical, emotional, social and spiritual – through education and resource access, providing basic health care to the medically underserved.
https://www.stlukesmedicalministry.org/
Collection Drive:
St. Luke’s Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry is in need of the following items for the upcoming winter to be distributed to their clients:
- Hats
- socks – adult
- gloves
- scarfs
*For adult men and women
Rocker's Rescue
Rocker’s Rescue is dedicated to providing exemplary vetting care, loving foster homes, and finding amazing forever homes for animals in need. They focus passionately on saving animals at our local shelters, helping with severe cases, and educating the public when possible.
COLLECTION DRIVE:
Rocker’s Rescue is in need of the following items they keep on hand to take of their animals in need:
- Cat litter
- Purina indoor kitten chow (hard food)
- Purina sensitive skin and stomach cat food
- Pill pockets
- Pee pads
- Flea/tick prevention for dog/cat (Advantage II, Revolution, Bravecto)
- Dog toys
- Dog chew toys (Nylabones, etc)
- Cute collars/harnesses/leashes to help with adoption
- Gift cards for pet stores or donations toward vetting expenses
The projects for the nonprofits listed below are still being determined. Come back soon to view our confirmed projects!
Airline Drive Church of Christ – Food Pantry
American Red Cross
Barksdale Airforce Base Airman’s Attic
Benton Cemetery Clean Up
Benton United Methodist Church – The Table Food Ministries
Bossier Animal Control
Bossier Council on Aging
Bossier Parks & Recreation
Christian Service Program
Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (CADA)
Care Parenting Center
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Chimp Haven
Dress For Success Shreveport-Bossier
Evergreen
Evergreen Life Services
Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
Fuller Center for Housing
Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana (Airline)
Haughton United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Keep Bossier Beautiful
Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home
Pet Savers
Renesting Project, Inc.’s
St. Luke’s Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry
TEAMS (training, education, and mediation for students)
The Blake at Bossier City (nursing home)
The Lawson Bo Brandon Memorial Baseball Complex Clean Up
The Hub: Urban Ministries (The Lovewell Center)
Volunteers of America North Louisiana
Youth Challenge Group
Don’t see your favorite nonprofit?
We want to hear from you! Submit your suggested local nonprofit today, and we’ll see if we can partner with them to expand our impact.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!
