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:

• LaPlace resident Anthony Magee, a volunteer at the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center in LaPlace. Magee, 12, is a student at Emily C. Watkins Elementary, and he uses his time at the riding center as motivation to focus on schoolwork.

• Members of the St. John United Way, who recently celebrated 40 years of serving the residents of the parish. During a banquet last week, the organization honored its former Executive Director Dean Torres with a Leadership Award.

• LaPlace Elementary School fifth-grader Shaelin Keller, who recently placed third for the state in a national Cycling Poster Contest. Keller competed alongside 6,300 students from 25 states in the contest. Each winner received a bike, a helmet and a bike light.

• Volunteers who assisted in serving food Friday morning at St. John Parish’s annual Memorial Day Breakfast in LaPlace. A full house of veterans and their families filled the St. Joan of Arc Knights of Columbus Hall in LaPlace for the annual celebration to honor the region’s veterans.