TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, a Florida lawmaker and a Tampa-based rescue nonprofit are launching evacuation efforts to help Americans trapped overseas, including families from right here in the Tampa Bay area.
Volunteers and lawmakers from Hillsborough County are moving quickly to help stranded Americans as the Middle East crisis escalates.
Father’s Day for State Senator Jay Collins looks different this year as he’s traveling into a war zone.
“Think about today’s Father’s Day. What if it were my kid, one of my sons over here? Wouldn’t you want someone to go make sure they got home so they could see their family? I mean, I’m a husband and a dad, first and foremost. This is what it’s all about,” Collins said.
The lawmaker from Hillsborough County is heading to Israel as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to grow.
“Yeah, there are people from all over the state right now. We are getting hundreds and thousands of people right now, American citizens who are ready to get home. All flights have been canceled, ports are closed,” he said.
On the ground, Project Dynamo, the Tampa-based nonprofit, also has teams stationed throughout the Middle East to help with emergency evacuations.
“We have deployed multiple teams of volunteers and members of Project Dynamo to the area, specifically to Jordan, Egypt, Cyprus and Israel, to be ready to help all of our fellow Americans get out of harm’s way,” said Mario Duarte, president and CEO of Project DYNAMO.
They’ve rescued thousands before but say this mission feels heavier.
“It is satisfying when you actually get to deliver a son or daughter, a father, a grandchild, into grandma’s or mom’s arms. It’s heartwarming. It breaks something inside you, but it’s to make it stronger and better,” Duarte added.
Project Dynamo tells us they’ve helped evacuate more than 7,000 people worldwide. Senator Collins is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday to assess the needs of Floridians on the ground.
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