Each Wednesday, L’Observateur recognizes 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 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.

This week we salute:

• First United Methodist Church in LaPlace, which recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its annual fall luncheon. Nearly 100 church and community members dined on meals with all proceeds going to the church building fund.

• The Student Government Association at Louisiana Technical College’s Reserve campus on a successful food drive at the school last week. Student Government Chief Senator Ky Wilson said the drive netted more than 2,000 items, enough to fill baskets for 39 families.

• Twin Oaks Nursing Home in LaPlace, which recently celebrated the opening of a new expansion of its rehabilitation to home program with an early Thanksgiving feast with patients. The new facility, dubbed Royal Oaks, assists patients in getting back to living on their own.

• The St. Charles Catholic High School boys swim team, which recently captured its second consecutive state title in Division IV, and girls swim team, which finished second at the state meet behind university High in Baton Rouge.