It's been a year full of challenges, heartache, and opportunity since Tropical Storm Irene hit almost one year ago. But as YNN's Maria Valvanis explains, it's now time for a community to recognize just how far they've come.

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Senator James Seward said, "We saw the worst of Mother Nature, and the havoc that that can wreak, but in the hours and weeks and months later, we've seen the best of human nature emerge."

Tuesday will mark one year since Tropical Storm Irene, and the remnants of Lee, flooded Schoharie County. Residents gathered at the county fairgrounds Sunday to recognize, remember, and reflect.

"So many wonderful people, that we didn't even know, came to help out, and clean up their house and their yard, I'm gonna cry, I'm sorry," said Schoharie County resident, Terri Repscher.

"It's important now because it is the anniversary, and a lot of people are still suffering from the emotional effects of this event," said S.A.L.T Executive Director Sarah Goodrich.

Schoharie Area Long Term, a recovery organization better known as SALT, put the event together, to celebrate the community's accomplishments. Letting residents like Jacquie Gleckman share photos she took, documenting the years obstacles.

"It shows people what other people don't see, it shows them what they gone, what they lost, they don't get it, you can hear it on the news but if you don't see every aspect of it, you don't get it."

"Every time I talk to someone, or every picture I look at, it's a piece of their life gone," said resident, Jacquie Gleckman.

"It's heart wrenching, our challenge collectively is to address the grief, and give them hope, and to tell the people there is life beyond what they've had to endure," said Assemblyman Pete Lopez.

And many residents say, their hope comes from the more than 25,000 volunteers and $4 million worth of donated labor. The silver lining of an unfortunate disaster.

"Everyone works together, we're all in this together, It's just wonderful the sense of community pulling together," said Repscher.

And as the community celebrates all that they've accomplished so far, they still recognize their road to recovery is a long one. But with the support and help of those who've gathered, they're hopeful they'll shine once again.