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 St. John the Baptist Parish Recreation Department, which helped organized eight separate Easter egg hunts at neighborhood parks across St. John Parish during Easter weekend. Parish officials said about 400 children turned out for the annual event.

• The LaPlace Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Shop, which participated in a fundraiser for St. John firefighters through its annual 31-cent scoop night. Customers who purchased discounted ice cream were encouraged to donate the money saved to the St. John firefighters. To further entice donations, firefighters were on hand at the store performing demonstrations.

• St. John Parish resident Steven Louque, for his development of a scholarship to honor his brother James “Lil Jim” Louque, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2009. The award is a twice-yearly $1,000 scholarship presented to students who enroll at South Central Louisiana Technical College in Reserve.

• West St. John High School in Edgard and Riverside Academy in Reserve, who together will send 25 student athletes to state track and field meets at LSU later this week. The Rebels have 11 participants, while the Rams have 14.