Each Wednesday, L’Observateur will recognize individuals and businesses in the River Parishes who have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.

We believe that an integral part of a community’s wellbeing is an attitude and arena where people who do good things … who work to improve life for others … who try to make a difference … are recognized and saluted.

Because this is a salute to members of the community of the entire River Parishes, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• THE ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL AND LUTCHER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS, which have worked hard all season and now have made it to the semifinals of the LHSAA football playoffs. Both teams are just one victory away from a shot at a state championship in the Superdome.

• ATTORNEY KERRY BROWN, whose efforts have led to an agreement between St. John the Baptist Parish and the Archdiocese of New Orleans that has cleared the way for the reinstatement of the Reserve-Edgard Ferry. The ferry has been out of service since 2007 when it was shut down for repairs and St. John the Baptist Church in Edgard blocked the positioning of a utility pole that would have allowed the ferry to start up again.

• MARCO PICCIOLA, who recently signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Louisiana Tech Univerity in Ruston. The St. Charles Catholic senior has been on both the LSWA All-State and the coaChes All-State teams.

• EMPLOYEES OF THE LOUISIANA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, who recently donated over $2,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.쇓