Now in its fifth year, Love the Boot Week is Louisiana’s largest statewide litter removal and beautification initiative. The effort is organized by Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) in partnership with Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, who encourages residents across all 64 parishes to take part.
“This year’s Love the Boot Week is especially meaningful as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday by giving back to the communities we call home,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “By getting outside, working together, and taking pride in our surroundings, volunteers are not only improving Louisiana’s landscapes – they’re also improving their own health.”
Volunteering outdoors provides a wide range of physical and mental health benefits, including:
• Improved physical health. Activities such as picking up litter, planting trees, and cleaning public spaces keep the body moving and support cardiovascular health while helping reduce stress-related hormones like cortisol.
• Less screen time and stronger connections. Volunteering offers a chance to unplug from technology and reconnect with nature, friends, and neighbors.
• Health benefits for older adults. Research shows older adults who regularly volunteer may have a lower risk of hypertension.
• Increased vitamin D. Spending time outdoors supports bone health, immune function, and healthy blood cells.
• Better mental health. Volunteers often report lower stress, greater confidence, stronger social connections, and increased feelings of positivity and purpose.
• Reduced mosquito risks. Removing bottles, containers, and other debris eliminates standing water where mosquitoes breed, helping lower the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus and Zika.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (Louisiana Blue) is a leading sponsor of Love the Boot Week, noting the connection between creating clean, green spaces in our communities and improved health and lives.
"When you give the gift of your time to volunteer and help your neighbors, it can give a big boost to your overall health and well-being. People who volunteer report lower stress, increased happiness and a renewed sense of purpose because they are doing something good for others. All those things can go a long way toward your mental health,” said Louisiana Blue Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dee Barfield. “There are physical health benefits, too. When you have more access to green spaces and clean public areas, you’re more likely to exercise and spend time outside and off a screen. This can help you add movement to your day.”
“Love the Boot Week gives us the chance to get away from our desks, roll up our sleeves, and work up a sweat for our community. You leave a cleanup feeling good, both physically and mentally,” said Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director.
Last year during Love the Boot Week, 26,935 individuals volunteered a total of 81,852 hours at 1,408 events in all 64 parishes, leading to the removal of 514 tons of litter. In addition to litter removal, volunteers focused on community beautification, planting 1,204 trees and 3,672 plants, and refurbishing 477 gardens.
KLB invites everyone to participate in Love the Boot Week by volunteering at or registering for a cleanup event. To learn more, visit LoveTheBoot.org.
About Keep Louisiana Beautiful
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is a state program under the Office of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism promoting personal, corporate, and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. KLB supports local communities through programs and resources for litter education, prevention, removal, enforcement, beautification, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives. KLB is affiliated with the national organization, Keep America Beautiful, and is supported by a robust statewide network of Community Affiliates and University Affiliates. Learn more at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.
About Louisiana Blue
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, or Louisiana Blue, is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a taxpaying, not-for-profit health insurer with offices in every major region of Louisiana to serve our customers. We have been recognized for the past seven years as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Satisfaction Study ranked us #1 in member satisfaction among commercial health plans in the East South Central Region. Louisiana Blue also was nationally recognized for exceptional customer service by USA Today’s America’s Best Customer Service 2025.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at lablue.com or talk to us on social media @MyLouisianaBlue.
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