Shreveport – More than 400 participants united across Northwest Louisiana on Thursday, May 14, helping local nonprofit organizations save an estimated $55,691.88 in labor costs during United Way of Northwest Louisiana’s (UWNWLA) annual Day of Caring, presented in part by Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. Representing 38 local businesses and organizations, volunteers partnered with 21 nonprofit agencies to complete 23 projects across the region, demonstrating the power of a community united in service.
As UWNWLA’s largest single-day volunteer event, Day of Caring connects businesses, civic groups, and volunteers with nonprofit organizations that need additional support to complete projects that may otherwise go unfinished. This year’s projects ranged from facility improvements and landscaping to preparing meals for families at Ronald McDonald House, assembling essential needs kits to strengthen community disaster preparedness, organizing donations, and completing projects whose impact will continue strengthening Northwest Louisiana long after Day of Caring concluded.
The Mardi Gras-themed celebration began with a Pep Rally Breakfast at Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, where volunteers gathered for breakfast, music by DJ Smiley, raffle prizes, and a spirited Second Line parade before heading to volunteer sites across the community. The morning celebration set the tone for a day centered on service, teamwork, and community pride.
In addition to volunteer service, Day of Caring included a moment of reflection as participants joined together to raise awareness of domestic violence, reinforcing the importance of building safe, healthy, and thriving communities.
New this year, volunteers carried the celebration beyond their service projects by returning to Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana for the inaugural Day of Caring Afterparty. The poolside gathering featured entertainment by DJ Chico and 3 Feet, raffle prizes, dancing, and fellowship, providing volunteers an opportunity to celebrate the collective impact they made across Northwest Louisiana. The addition reflected United Way’s commitment to not only serving together—but celebrating the people who make service possible.
“Day of Caring is about far more than completing projects—it’s about reminding our community what is possible when people choose to show up for one another,” said UWNWLA President and CEO LaToria W. Thomas. “Every volunteer, nonprofit partner, sponsor, and community member who participated demonstrated that lasting change begins with connection. When we unite our time, talents, and resources, we strengthen not only individual organizations, but the future of Northwest Louisiana. United is the Way we create lasting change, and it is why this day continues to matter year after year.”
UWNWLA extends its sincere appreciation to presenting sponsor Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana and major sponsors Willis Knighton Health System and Brookshire’s Grocery Company for their generous support in making Day of Caring 2026 possible.
Throughout the day, teams embraced the Mardi Gras spirit by bringing energy, creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm to every project and celebration. The 2026 Day of Caring Spirit Award was presented to AEP SWEPCO for exemplifying those qualities and inspiring fellow volunteers throughout the day.
For more than four decades, Day of Caring has demonstrated the incredible impact that is possible when businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and community partners come together to serve. United Way of Northwest Louisiana is proud to continue building a stronger, more connected community—because United is the Way.