Greetings Cocke County! My name is Laurie Duckett (Spring), and it is with gratitude and honor that I step into the role as Executive Director of the Cocke County Long Term Recovery Group today.

I have been working diligently for the past six months with my boots on the ground, walking hand in hand with many who are survivors of Hurricane Helene to help them in any way I can, in my capacity as the Community Organizer for Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee. I have also been standing shoulder to shoulder with an amazing group of dedicated local leaders who have come together to create this non-profit that will be working to ensure homes and lives are rebuilt. We made it through the storm, we made it through the winter, now begins the process to completely recover over the coming months and years.

Through mutual aid partnerships, collaborations, and a mission based in faith and love, we are moving forward together, and I look forward to serving our beautiful corner of Appalachia in all ways possible.

I would also like to send a heartfelt thank you to Michelle Lane who has been the backbone of relief and recovery efforts in our county from the beginning. Michelle’s hard work through Love Your Neighbor and as our interim Executive Director at the Cocke County LTRG has been instrumental in building a foundation that will allow for the healing to continue.

I also have a very special THANK YOU for:

• United Way of East TN Highlands
• American Red Cross of Tennessee
• East Tennessee Foundation
• FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
• UMCOR – United Methodist Committee On Relief
• Disaster Services Corporation
• Catholic Charities USA
• Lutheran Disaster Response

for providing knowledge, support, funding, and all of the resources needed to help us get everything fully operational.

I have much to do and look forward to more personal communications with many of you in the coming days and weeks. You can reach me through messaging Cocke County Long Term Recovery Group or emailing springduckett@gmail.com.