Once there were two childhood friends who grew up to have hearts for serving their community, and years later, it was what brought Jeff Mayo and Stephen Michell back together.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, the fourth annual Never Forget 5K Run/Walk will begin at the St. Tammany Trailhead. Creating and bringing it to life has been a labor of love for these two men.

Michell, President of the Never Forget Foundation and Covington's interim fire chief, organized the first “Never Forget 5K Run/Walk” in St. Tammany in 2022, patterning it after the national “Tunnel to Towers” effort that supported the 9/11 families of fallen first responders.

Upon learning of the new memorial and fundraising event here at home, Mayo, a retired St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputy, contacted his old friend.

“He’s been

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