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:

• The East St. John High School Cheerleaders for organizing an annual mini-camp for aspiring young cheerleaders in the area. The campers were taught appropriate warm-up exercises each morning, followed by various chants and cheers. The mini-campers will perform with the varsity cheerleaders at the high school’s first football game Sept. 9.

• Destrehan resident Doug Robicheaux for recently being named the winner of the German Coast Farmers’ Market Home Vegetable Garden Contest. Robicheaux competed among other farmers in the area by entering home garden samples of produce that were judged on overall quality, appearance and freshness.

• Betty Livingston, a Q.A./lab technician at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace for being named the hospital’s Mercy Award winner for 2011. Named in honor of LifePoint Hospital’s founding chairman and CEO, the award recognizes one employee from each affiliated hospital who exemplifies humanitarian spirit. Livingston is now in the running for the LifePoint companywide Mercy Award.

• Representatives from Entergy, who recently conducted a seminar on hurricane readiness for business owners in the River Parishes. Compnay representatives discussed methods used to restore power in affected areas and explained what to be ready for in the event of a storm landfall.