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:

• Owners and employees at the local Birdies convenience stores in St. John the Baptist Parish, who purchased toys for a select group of students at Emily C. Watkins Elementary that have consistently performed well this school year. About 50 students who have displayed hard work and a good attitude were treated to toys during a celebration Thursday.

• Employees at Marathon Petroleum’s Garyville refinery, who volunteered their time last week to serve lunch to senior citizens at the Reserve activities center. The lunch is one of numerous events Marathon organizes for seniors in the parish.

• Local representatives from Entergy, who recently donated a sponsorship check to the Satellite Center within the St. Charles Parish Public School System. Those funds will be used to cover some of the expenses for the Satellite Center’s annual video and animation festival.

• The Reserve Knights of Columbus and students from St. Peter Catholic School, who participated in the annual Knights of Columbus senior citizen Christmas lunch. Members of the Knights did the cooking, while a group of eighth graders at the school did the serving.