The Rotary Club of Fairhope's Disaster Response Team has been named the 2023 Fairhopers of the Year due to their community service and contributions.

The Disaster Relief Team helps people throughout Lower Alabama, Florida and Mississippi in times of need. In 2018, the team travelled and stayed in Port St. Joe after Hurricane Michael pummeled the area.

They helped in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally in 2020, cleaned up following the tornadoes that hit outside of Gulf Shores in October 2022, and travelled to Selma, Alabama to help in the cleanup following the tornadoes that destroyed parts of that city earlier this year.

The group's Disaster Response Chairman Andy Tubertini said when he lived in Hattiesburg, Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina he received help in the storm's aftermath from a similar organization.

"The hope that was rekindled due to that help after Hurricane Katrina hit ... I knew I had to pay it forward."

The Disaster Response Team was formed after rotary members spent three days in Florida assisting after Hurricane Michael.

Tubertini said the group aims to "offer hope and help those in their time of need."

The Rotary Club of Fairhope's Disaster Response Team is made up of 14 people who offer their time and support when disaster strikes.

"Every town has a Rotary that likes to give back, and at the end of the day, that's what it's all about -- helping others and serving the community," Tubertini said.

For more information, contact the Rotary Club of Fairhope at fairhoperotary@gmail.com or visit their website at fairhoperotary.org.