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 new government leadership taking over in St. John, St. James and St. Charles Parishes. All three parishes held inaugurations last week. May the next four years be a rousing success for the three parish presidents and new council members.

• The men and women who sacrificed time this past Wednesday to speak to students at West St. John Elementary School about focus and opportunities for the second half of the school year. About a dozen members of the west bank community spent time speaking to all grade levels.

• The BETA Club students at Luling Elementary, who lead a food drive for various social concerns throughout the area. Each class at the school donated a large amount of nonperishable food to be distributed in the region.

• The staff at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace, who purchased a variety of gifts to be donated to needy families in the region through the St. John Ministry of Care.