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:

• Members of the St. Charles Parish-based senior citizen social club Oldies but Goodies for their efforts to raise money for a Joplin, Mo. family affected by recent tornados in that area. The group is taking monetary donations at their monthly dances.

• The LaPlace Walgreen’s location, which hosted a Community Day event that featured an appearance by New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory. The event was an effort to raise money for the St. John the Baptist Parish recreation department.

• St. Charles High School baseball star Brady Hitt, who recently signed on to play baseball at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. Hitt is coming off of a record-breaking senior season for the Comets in which he hit 14 home runs and 56 RBIs and was named District 9-2A co-MVP.

• The West St. John High School football team, which was crowned champion of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajun 7-on-7 Shootout. The Rams came out on top among 28 other competing schools from Louisiana and Mississippi.