EachWednesday, L’Observateur recognizes individuals and businesses in the River Parishes that 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 for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• The scores of motorcycle riders who mounted their bikes for the annual “Harley for Horses” ride to benefit the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center in LaPlace. The ride, which travels up U.S. Highway 51 to Port Vincent and back, raised $9,700 for the riding center.

• Destrehan High School student Jared Able, who was recently named as a Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Research Scholar from LSU. Able was selected from a field of more than 460 nominees. The scholarship focuses on undergraduate productivity, research and community service.

• The St. John United Way for its efforts to encourage more young children to read with their parents. The organization recently introduced the “Imagination Library,” a national program that sends free books to children birth to 5. The initiative is designed to encourage children to develop better reading habits.

• The young artists involved in the Visual and Talented Arts Program at East St. John High School. The students showed off a year’s worth of work at the school’s annual art show last week.