BOSSIER SCHOOLS TEAM SIGN UP - DAY OF SERVICE 2022

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.

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.

Team Captain Meeting

On Thursday, September 29th, 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.

Project dates & times

In-person projects and inventories will tentatively take place on event day (October 1) 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 24.

Our second 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. – 1:30 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!

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Director of Community Impact, Raavin Evans, via raavin@unitedwaynwla.org or 318-606-6592.

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

THE DEADLINE TO Sign up your team FOR BOSSIER DAY OF SERVICE IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2022.

Curious about the impact?

Thanks to the efforts of 30 Bossier School teams consisting of students, parents, faculty, and staff, 23 collection drives were held, and eight in-person projects were completed in 2021. The collection drives yielded more than 15,000 essential items and $26,000 of economic support. You can read more about last year’s impact here.

– PROJECTS AVAILABLE –

The projects listed below have been confirmed. The nonprofits listed beneath that are still determining their projects, but are still available for adoption. Check back soon for project updates. Thank you!

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​

https://www.redcross.org/

In-Person Project| 10 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 9th-12th, Adults 

The American Red Cross needs help washing cars at their location in Shreveport.

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:

  • Diapers of all sizes, especially sizes newborn through six.
  • Boys and girls training pants, sizes 2T-3T, 3T-4T, and 4T-5T.
  • Baby wipes. We also try to get sensitive and hypoallergenic baby wipes. Many babies are sensitive to anything with a scent.
Bossier Parks and Recreation

Bossier Parks and Recreation (BPAR) offers a variety of programs for citizens of all ages to participate in and enjoy. Some of the programs include adult sports programs, parks swimming facilities, youth sports programs, recreation centers activities, and special events.

https://www.bossiercity.org/199/Parks-Recreation

In-Person Project| 10 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 6th-12th, Adults 

Bossier Parks and Recreation would like your team to help plant Savannah Grass plants along the fence line of the new land they acquired. They have roughly 10-12 plants. 

Community Renewal Friendship Houses (For Youth & Kids)

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.

communityrenewal.us/

Collection Drive #1: Beverly Street Kids Friendship House.

The following items will be put in gift bags or lunch bags for senior citizens.

  • shampoo
  • dishwashing liquid
  • soap
  • paper towels
  • toilet paper
  • Kleenex
  • hand sanitizer
  • lunch sack or gift bags
  • crackers
  • canned soup
  • juice
  • handmade encouraging notes to the senior citizens.

Collection Drive #2: Barksdale Annex Youth Friendship House.

The following items will be used during the Youth Friendship House’s after-school program.

  • Dry Erase Board Cleaner
  • Dry Erase Markers
  • Copier Paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Toilet Paper
  • Paper Plates
  • Paper Cups
  • Paper Bowls
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Dishwashing Liquid
Dress for success shreveport-bossier

Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier’s purpose is to offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. They provide each client with professional attire to secure employment, but they are about much more than simply a new outfit. Besides physically equipping the client with apparel and accessories, their programs furnish her with the confidence that she carries forever and the knowledge that she can actively define her life, the direction she takes and what success means to her.

shreveport-bossier.dressforsuccess.org

In-Person Project| 7 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 9th-12th, Adults

Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier is looking for volunteers to help them sort clothing donations in their warehouse.

Keep Bossier Beautiful

Founded in 1990, Keep Bossier Beautiful, the local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, believes that each of us holds an obligation to preserve and protect our environment and work.

keepbossierbeautiful.com

In-Person Projects | Appropriate for Grades 6th-12th, Adults

Keep Bossier Beautiful would like to support local students with a clean-up project around their local schools or other areas where students could meet. Keep Bossier Beautiful will provide all items needed, including grabbers, trash bags, gloves, and safety vests. They are willing to work with any size group up to 50 and will have a contest with a prize for the winner(s).

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 their outside lawn, including hedge trimming, flower bed maintenance, and weed removal. 

Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home

Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home’s mission is to provide comprehensive care and quality service to Louisiana’s Veterans and their families with regard to health care, education, disability benefits, long-term care, and burial honors.

vetaffairs.la.gov

In-Person Project| 10 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 4th-12th, Adults

The Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home needs help planting flowers in their raised flower beds and cleaning out other flower beds.

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.

theprovidencehouse.com

Collection Drive #1:                                                           

Providence House is in need of the following items they are always in need of and keep on hand:

  • Paper Towels
  • Toilet Paper
  • 13-gallon Trash Bags (unscented or lemon scent)
  • 55-gallon Trash Bags (heavy duty)*any brand, any package size

Collection Drive #2:                                                                  

Providence House is in need of gift cards and greeting cards to distribute to clients

  • Gift Cards: retail stores, discount stores, local restaurants, gas stations, general (Visa, Mastercard, etc)^please be sure the amount is written on the cards.
  • Greeting Cards: birthday (generic child and adult), congratulations, motivational, encouraging^please leave blank and do not sign.

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.

renzicenter.org

The Renzi Center is in need of art supplies for their facility and food items for their students’ daily snacks and take-home bags that provide food over the weekend. 

The Renzi Education & Art Center is in need of:

Postage StampsLegal Sized PaperPaper TowelsKleenex TissueLarge Trash Bags (White)Gallon Jugs of PaintCrayola Air Dry ClayJuice PouchesBottled WaterSandwich CrackersApple SauceFruit CupsGranola Bars

st. luke's Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry, INC

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 and to be distributed to their clients:

  • Gloves
  • Hats

*For men and women

The Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana - Shreveport Corps & Shelter

The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet human needs without discrimination.

salvationarmyalm.org

PROJECT OPTIONS

 

1. Collection Drive #1:                                                                         

We have been blessed with vegetables, dried goods, and other non-perishable food options, but our clients are always curious to see if we have any meat options to take home. Unfortunately, we do not have an extra freezer to store traditional meat, so we are looking for options that would allow for a longer shelf-life and to be stored on shelves at room temperature. These donations will be utilized in our food boxes for seniors, families, and individuals who are experiencing a food crisis in their homes and need our assistance to put food on the table for a month or more. Please help us stock our shelves so we can fill the bellies of those who may go hungry if not for our resources!

The Salvation Army is in need of:

  • Canned Meat
    • Chicken
    • Tuna
    • Ham
    • Spam
    • Corned Beef
    • Other canned meat products

2. Collection Drive #2:                                                                       

We are looking for new, unused coats for children from birth to age twelve for boys and girls. These coats will be essential to our Christmas mission to help fill bags for children under our Angel Tree program. To provide a bit of reference, the Angel Tree program assists families who (without our help) would not be able to afford Christmas for their children. Most of these families struggle to afford basic necessities and, on most occasions, go without them. The need is only increasing, and we are anticipating to serve 1,800+ this Christmas. Please help us bundle up these babies so they stay warm this Christmas and upcoming winter!

The Salvation Army is in need of:

  • New, unused coats for boys and girls (zip jackets are preferred since most schools are not allowing hoodies).
    • sizes 0-3 months to youth 14/16
    • a few adult smalls & mediums

A representative from the organization will come to pick up the collected items from the Wrap-Up Party.

3. In-Person Project at the Salvation Army Thrift Store | 3 Volunteers Max | Appropriate for Grades 11th-12th                     

We will be hosting a store sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 1st at our Thrift Store. We’ll need to double-check some last-minute details prior to opening, and once the doors open, we’ll need baggers, potential carry-out assistance for our elderly or disabled, and potential heavy lifters for furniture that is purchased. We’d suggest older high schoolers (11th & 12th graders) or adults who are strong and able to lift more than 50 lbs. Closed-toe shoes are highly encouraged. Volunteers will be provided with snacks. The maximum number of volunteers needed is three. Volunteers need to sign a separate waiver for The Salvation Army of NWLA.

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.

 

PROJECT OPTIONS

 

1. Collection Drive:                                                                               

We would like to provide youth creativity kits to the 40 students (3-4 year olds) attending Benton Head Start Center.

United Way of Northwest Louisiana is in need of the following:Wiggle Googly eyesPoster Boards (variation of colors)CrayonsColor PencilsWashable MarkersGlue SticksYarn (variation of colors)construction paperManila drawing paperWhite Copy PaperRulers (wooden or plastic)Paint BrushesWashable PaintPainting SpongesStamp Pad and stamps (letters/numbers)Streamers (variation of colors)Paper Plates (paper not foam)-all sizesBrown Paper Bags

2. In-Person Project| 10 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 4th-12th

On Friday, September 30th, we would like a group of students to visit Benton Head Start Center to create a paper mache pumpkin with the students. The team would need to arrive at Benton Head Start Center at 10:00 A.M. The project will last approximately 40 minutes.

Volunteers of America North Louisiana

Volunteers of America North Louisiana is a faith-based ministry of service providing opportunity, promoting dignity, and inspiring change in all who find their way to them. 

voanorthla.org

Collection Drive                                                 

Volunteers of America North Louisiana is in need of the following items that will be distributed to their clients:

• Cleaning supplies: Disinfectant spray, Deodorizers, Windex, Clorox Wipes, Furniture Polish• Paper products• Household Items: paper towels, toilet paper, liquid laundry detergent, dish detergent, trash bags• Hygiene items: Especially toilet paper• Cosmetics• Nonperishable snacks for kids: juice boxes, crackers, etc.• Pots and Pans• Cooking Utensils• Comforter Sets• Bath Towels• Clothing• Bus Passes

The projects for the nonprofits listed below are still being determined. However, they are still available for adoption.

Airline Drive Church of Christ – Food Pantry

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

Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (CADA)

Care Parenting Center

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Chimp Haven

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

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)

Youth Challenge Group

SUBMIT A PROJECT IDEA

Do you have a special project idea that would benefit one of the nonprofits listed above or one not on the list? We want to hear it! Submit your project idea today, and we’ll see if we can make it happen.

– PAIRED PROJECTS –

The projects below have been paired with one or more teams. Please consider requesting one of the unpaired projects above. Thank you!

Nonprofit

School Team

Operation Blessing

Legacy Elementary Student Council

Salvation Army Collection Drive #1 (still needs more volunteers)

Platt Elementary

Geaux 4 Kids: Project Geaux Bags

Cope Middle School Military Club, W.T. Lewis Elementary

United Way of NWLA Collection Drive (still needs more volunteers)

R.V. Kerr Elementary, Benton Intermediate Student Council

A.C.T.I.O.N Food Pantry (Haughton)

Haughton Elementary School

Robinson’s Rescue

Kingston Elementary

Christian Service Program

Apollo Elementary

Renzi Education & Art Center (still needs more volunteers)

BPSTIL 

Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana

Princeton Elementary