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.

This week we salute:

• St. John the Baptist Parish residents who recently participated in the annual Relay for Life and raised money for the fight against Cancer.

• The St. Charles Catholic softball team, which finished runner-up in the state at the Class 2A softball championship tournament.

• Local hairstylists who joined in the effort to fight the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico by stockpiling hair clippings to be used as stuffing for nylon containment boons that can soak up oil.

• All the winners of $100 gift certificates in our Spring Savings Spree, all of those who registered each week and all our readers who continue to support local businesses.