Each Wednesday, L’Observateur will recognize 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 that 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:

• CRAIG CARMOUCHE OF CARMOUCHE JEWELERS for his $1,000 donation to the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office. The money, which was raised as part of a sales promotion in the store, will be going toward the purchase of bulletproof vests for deputies.

• THE ROTARY CLUB OF LAPLACE, which donated $1,400 to the St. John Parish Animal Shelter to be used for animal vaccinations for strays living at the new shelter. The money was raised during the Rotary Club’s annual “Pups in the Park on 51” charity dog walk, which was held earlier this year. The walk attracted about 200 area dog owners.

• THE ST. JOHN SHERIFF’S OFFICE for its upcoming plans to install surveillance cameras in crime hot spots throughout the parish. Sheriff’s Office officials believe the cameras have the potential to deter crime and keep citizens safe.

• PARISH OFFICIALS and the RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHN PARISH for another successful Andouille Festival. Last weekend’s celebration of all things andouille carried on the success enjoyed last year, when the event moved from the Percy Hebert Building to the grounds of the St. John Community Center on Highway 51. The popular festival showed once again that St. John Parish is the “Andouille capital of the world.”