‘This community is love’ Cocke County residents come together and pray for those affected

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — The Cocke County community is one of faith and love. It was shown at the Cocke County Fairgrounds as a group came together for those on the front live and people helping those affected by Hurricane Helene.

It was a night of prayer and singing. Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis was in attendance for the gathering. He told 6 News what the good turn out says about the community.

“It was inspirational in one word. This disaster has reminded us of three main things. One- we still need God. Two- we still need each other. And three- it’s reminded us of who we are as a community,” Mathis said. “The challenge for us and that I think we need to remember going forward even after the recovery and after this disaster is over with and behind us is to hang on to those three things. That’s what we are going to rebuild up on for this community.”

Cocke County native Josh Reed said no matter what is going on, small communities will always band together in times of need.

“It shows a small community with not very many people, they’ll come together,” Reed said. “It shows that people are willing to work together in a hard time like this regardless of any of it. It’s a tight-knit community.”

For Hartford native Alee Leatherwood, it was empowering to see a group come together to pray for those in need.

“It’s very heartwarming and inspiring as a teenager and a young Christian,” Leatherwood said. “It just shows how the community still relies on God mainly, even with the ways of the world we still trust in God.”

As the community continues to mend wounds from the floods, there is no shortage of help from the people of Cocke County.

“This community itself has always been about unity, love and helping each other,” Cocke County resident Marsha Sprouse said.

Mayor Rob Mathis said this is a strong community and they will rebuild stronger than ever.

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