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:

• Louisiana Federal Credit Union, which re-opened its branch at East St. John High School for the fifth straight year. The branch offers teller jobs to seniors and gives students better control over their finances. The goal is to teach students how to responsibly use financial institutions.

• The 40th Judicial District Children and Youth Services Planning Board for holding a public forum to gather ideas and solutions to keep the youth of the parish from going astray. The general consensus of the board was that adult and parental involvement is necessary in order to get children to stay on the right path.

• Former St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman Richard “Dale” Wolfe, who ended a 35-year career in public office when he resigned from the council last Tuesday. Wolfe has been chosen to take the reins of the St. John Housing Authority as its executive director.

• Suzanne Friloux, Joan Weaver Becnel and Marilyn Mayhall Richoux for their work on St. Charles Parish Louisiana: A Pictorial History. The women spent more than five years compiling pictures and stories that detail the colorful history of St. Charles Parish.