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 to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• The Reserve150 Committee, which closed out months of celebrating the 150th anniversary of Reserve with a Christmas Eve bonfire on the levee in front of Phil’s barbershop. The committee kicked off the festivities on July 3 and has since held a cemetery walk at St. Peter Cemetery, a family fun day, a movie premier for the documentary about the community and a ceremony to bury a 50-year time capsule.

• MACS — Men About Changing Society — which recently made the Christmas of the five children of the recently deceased Takeitha Jackson a little brighter with a toy giveaway. The Edgard-based civic group has made an impact on the west bank community this year with a car wash, a turkey giveaway and a sports camp as well as the toy giveaway.

• Marine Cpl. Charles Floyd Jr., who recently gave his son the best Christmas present of all with a surprise visit over the week of Christmas. The East St. John High graduate is currently serving in Afghanistan and is not expected to complete his current tour until February 2012.

• The St. John Parish Young Marines, who in partnership with L’Observateur delivered a sleighload of gifts to the residents of the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home. The gifts included art supplies, games and assorted toiletries and were delivered to the veterans last Wednesday.