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

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 St. John the Baptist Parish firefighters, who spent a recent Saturday morning visiting with residents of the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve. The firefighters shared doughnuts, coffee and stories with the veterans.

• Volunteers from the St. John Sheriff’s Office and Rotary Club, who served lunch to the scores of senior citizens in attendance at the Sheriff’s Office annual Thanksgiving luncheon last week. A full house of residents packed the cafeteria at East St. John Elementary School for the lunch.

• Fourth-grade students at John L. Ory Magnet School, who participated in “Bullies Anonymous,” a musical play designed to encourage students to stop bullying each other. Students in Karen Dolotto and Ava Jackson’s fourth-grade classes put on two performances for the school.

• Director Darren Burlison and his partners at the River Region Recovery program at Lifehouse Church in Reserve. Burlison’s program reaches out to residents of the parish who made need help getting over a physical addiction or other hang ups that may be affecting their lives.