Unlike much of the southeast Bleckley County was spared of severe storm damage. Heavy hearts and bowed heads filled the front lawn of the Bleckley County courthouse Friday night as thankful voices read the bible, with hope of better days for those who need it most.

More than 100 people started a weeklong bible reading marathon, a presentation they believe, is even more valuable in light of possibly the worst tornado destruction the southeast has ever seen.

"In wake of everything that's been happening around us, the terrible weather, just the economic times that we live in it's been great for us to focus on what should be the focus of every community and that's the bible," said Cochran Mayor, Cliff Avant.

The marathon will last until May 5th, and an estimated 300 people are scheduled to read the scriptures from Genesis all the way to Revelation. Event coordinator Jerri Tuck says the marathon shows the active faith of the community.

"They are not just hearers of the word their doers. They bring their faith into the market place so to speak and obviously they are not ashamed as you can see from the events tonight they proclaimed the word from the steps of our courthouse," said Tuck.

During a week of sorrow, Bleckley County remembers those in pain and continues to count their blessings.

"If you look at our county, Bleckley County and Cochran we've been very blessed," said Avant.

 30 churches and civic groups are scheduled to participate in this year's reading.