It's time to sign-up your team!
Each year, United Way of Northwest Louisiana partners with Caddo Parish Public 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. #CaddoLivesUnited
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 (October 28th) 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.
TEAM CAPTAIN MEETING
A Team Captain Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 5th, at 10 A.M. in Caddo Parish Public Schools board room located at their main office (1961 Midway Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71108). Team captains are encouraged to attend the meeting for in-depth project details.
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?
In 2021, Caddo Parish Public Schools’ students, parents, faculty, and staff formed 19 volunteer teams to complete 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. Click here to learn more.
– Projects available –
The projects listed below have been confirmed and are ready to be adopted by a Caddo Schools team. Check back soon for more project additions. Thank you!
In-Person Projects
Caddo Council on Aging - Ombudsman Program
The mission of Caddo Council on Aging is to empower the elderly in our community so they may continue aging in the place of their choice through support services, and to serve as a focal point on issues affecting the health, welfare, safety and security of the aging population.
IN-PERSON PROJECT| 5 VOLUNTEERS MAX | MOST APPROPRIATE FOR GRADES 9TH-12TH, ADULT SCHOOL TEAMS
The Ombudsman program, a resident’s rights advocacy agency, has 54 brochure stands that need to be assembled so that they may be distributed to each of the 54 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in our 7 parish region. Volunteers would be assembling these brochure stands with tools indoors in CCOA’s Meal on Wheels area downstairs.
The 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.
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.
In-Person Project| 30 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 6th-12th
Geaux 4 Kids needs volunteers to help write notes of encouragement and prepare for its next packing event.
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 clean up and clean out its gymnasium in preparation for Thanksgiving. They also need assistance with rolling Angel Tree bags in preparation for their Angel Tree initiative this Christmas.
THINKFIRST
ThinkFirst offers several programs, each aimed at helping children, youth, and adults think about actions and change behavior so they prevent injury and death. The organization’s programs cover driving safety, such as drunk and distracted driving, and general community safety education.
https://thinkfirstlouisiana.org/
In-Person Project| 15 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 6th-12th
ThinkFirst is in need of volunteers to help organize and clean up their resource room.
Pet Savers
Pet Savers’ mission is to rescue, protect, and place abandoned or unwanted pets. They also provide funds for neutering, spaying, and other veterinary care.
In-Person Project| 8 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for Grades 9th-12th, Adults
Pets Savers is in need of volunteers to help with cleaning kennels, repairing kennels, yard maintenance, and organizing their facility.
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.
Shreveport Green
Shreveport Green is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a healthy, sustainable, and economically vital community through public outreach, community enhancement, and a specific respect for the natural and built environment.
In-Person Project| 20 Volunteers Max | Most Appropriate for All Ages
Shreveport Green is seeking volunteers to help with gardening projects that include weeding, watering, planting, and spreading woodchips across the farm.
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!
Christian Service Program
The Christian Service Program’s mission is to serve those in need with food, clothing, and other resources in an atmosphere of dignity, love and hope.
COLLECTION DRIVE
The Christian Service Program is need of the following items they keep on hand:
- Bottled water
- 3 compartmental to-go plates.
- Disposable eating utensils
- Paper towels
- Bleach
- Soap
- Clothes and shoes for our clients
Holy Angels
Holy Angels is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to providing love, support and empowerment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They create opportunities, allowing the highest level of independence possible for those they serve.
COLLECTION DRIVE
Holy Angels is in need of the following items that they keep on hand for their residents:
- Colors
- Colored pencils
- Coloring books
- 25-piece puzzles
- Light up toys (for residents that are wheelchair-bound)
- Magnatiles
- Fingernail polish
- Headbands
- Bows
- Cute hair clips
- Soft/fuzzy blankets
- Fuzzy socks with grips on the bottoms
- Kid-safe stacking toys (no small parts)
- UNO cards/card games
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
Renesting Project
The Renesting Project’s mission is to provide gently used furniture and household items to those in need.
COLLECTION DRIVE
The Renesting Project is in need of the following items to distribute to its clients.
New Items:
- bed pillows
- deodorant
- mouthwash
- laundry pods (no liquid)
- multipurpose cleaner
- aluminum foil
- plastic wrap
Gently Used or New:
- mixing bowls
- vegetable peelers
- bed & bath linens (no king)
- cooking utensils (spoons, spatulas, whisks, etc.)
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 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:
- Ponchos
- Emergency blankets (waterproof)
- Hand warmer
- Foot warmer
*For adult men and women
Volunteers of America North Louisiana
Volunteers of America North Louisiana is dedicated to reaching and uplifting every person in need. Operating as a church without walls, its team of dedicated and professional staff provide quality, supportive services across 40 programs helping the most vulnerable in our communities, including children and families, veterans, senior adults, and those living with disabilities.
COLLECTION DRIVE
Volunteers of America is in need of the following items to distribute to its clients and use at their facility:
- Disinfectant spray
- Deodorizers
- Windex
- Clorox Wipes
- Furniture Polish
- Paper products
- Paper towels
- Toilet Paper
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Dish detergent
- Trash bags
- Trash cans
- Hygiene items
- Snacks for kids
- Pots and pans
- Cooking utensils
- Comforter sets
- Bath towels
- Clothing
- Bus passes