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 and play.

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.

This week we salute:

• The management staff at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace for their recent efforts

to make the hospital a completely tobacco-free facility. No tobacco use of any kind is allowed anywhere on hospital property, including parking lots and adjacent medical buildings near the hospital. The move is part of an initiative to promote a healthier lifestyle for employees and patients.

• The members of the local rock band Image, who staged a reunion concert recently at San Francisco Plantation. The one-night performance was met with an overflow crowd that packed into the Levet Barn on the plantation grounds. Image formed in Reserve in the 60s and developed a steady following locally before parting ways in the 70s.

• The St. John firefighters and sheriff’s deputies who sacrificed their time Saturday to participate in the second annual Guns and Hoses Flag Football game at Riverside Academy. The event raises awareness of the Sheriff’s Office toys for tots program and also serves as a way to help the St. John Ministry of Care build up its food pantry.

• Employees of Louisiana Federal Credit Union who raised $2,600 throughout the month of October for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. Bank branches held dress down days and hosted live auctions for baked goods as part of the fundraising for the breast cancer cure foundation. A large group of employees also participated in the recent Race for the Cure at City Park in New Orleans.