Each Saturday, 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:

• NEW ORLEANS HAMBURGER AND SEAFOOD CO., on using celebrity servers on Saturday night and donating a portion of the proceeds to the organization of the server’s choice. Yes, we realize this helps the company generate more business, but it also helps generate more money for the receiving organization.

• The RIVER PARISH TORNADOS, on winning the fourth annual Octavio “Ox” Gonzalez Memorial Baseball Tournament. Gonzalez, a captain with the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Department, was ambushed and killed in the line of duty in June 2006..

• Members of the 225th ENGINEER BRIGADE OF THE LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD, who are currently deployed to Iraq on a one-year assignment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.