EachWednesday, 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:

• Volunteers from throughout St. John the Baptist Parish, who woke up early on a Saturday to pick up trash in the community as part of the parish’s annual Clean Sweep event. Nearly 400 residents came out to take part.

• Fifth Ward Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Caelan O’Sullivan, who will be participating this summer in the Bike and Build program, a non-profit organization that organizes cross country cycling trips to raise money for affordable housing causes in the United States. O’Sullivan will be biking from Maine to California making stops along the way to participate in home building.

• Officials at Marathon Petroleum in Garyville, for their continuing efforts to benefit the schools of St. John Parish. The Garyville refinery recently donated $1,000 to each of the public and private schools in the parish as part of their partnerships with the school system.

• The East St. John High School boys track team, which recently claimed the District 8-5A championship in a win over Higgins. The district crown is the first for the Wildcats in a decade. Meanwhile the East St. John girls track team finished third in district.