BERLIN, Vt. -
Vermont likely looks a little greener after today.
An estimated 15,000 volunteers spent the day picking up garbage, painting and planting flowers.
The annual Green Up Day event had extra participation this year because of the dedication to clean up the state after Tropical Storm Irene struck last year.
Governor Peter Shumlin worked with University of Vermont students to do his part as well.
Berlin resident Glenn French who lost everything in Irene, gazed up into the blue sky and said, "We're happy to have some sunshine."
Sunshine, a far different forecast from last August, so in many ways, this Green Up Day symbolized a fresh start for survivors of the storm.
"Kinda hard starting over at our age, but we're gonna make it," French said.
He and his wife Donna had been living in the Weston's Mobile Home Park for three years up until Irene hit. They were forced to move out because the inside was filled with four and a half feet of water. Although today does mark new beginnings, it also brings back emotions from that dreadful day.
"It's a little bit traumatic for them, so we wanted to take the opportunity to brighten it up and make it more home for them," JoEllen Calderara, Chair of the Central Vermont Long Term Recovery said.
Governor Shumlin even got down and dirty this Green Up Day. He spread mulch and planted flowers to make the mobile home park in Berlin - once a tropical storm target- a little brighter. "I'm grateful to be the Governor of a state where Vermonters pull together and help out," Governor Shumlin said.
UVM Junior Katherine Reynolds is a student in a class called "Rebuilding Vermont." With her hometown being Waterbury, she's been involved with Irene clean-up since day one, and so far, hasn't stopped. "If any state can come back and come back stronger, it's definitely Vermont," Reynolds said.
In the statewide effort to improve the look of Vermont, the recovery efforts are proof that it did and ultimately it's getting people back in their homes.
