TAMPA, Fla. — Fearless volunteers are the foundation for the non-profit group, Project Dynamo.
Based out of Tampa, the team has been mostly donor-funded since it formed in Bryan Stern's living room back in August 2021. Stern only expected the operation to last three to four weeks, but since has turned into a worldwide rescue mission.
"Never did I think we would operate in almost 30 countries," Stern said. "Never did I think we'd have 609 missions completed, which turns into 7,000 people we've saved."
It's a project, Stern says, that he hopes and prays the need will go away.
Most recently, Project Dynamo saved hundreds of Americans from the war-torn areas of Israel, Palestine and the Gaza Strip.
And without hesitation, Stern and his team of volunteers had boots on the ground near Fort Myers and Sanibel Island where Hurricane Ian made landfall. Rescue missions and operations like this have been completely funded with Stern's own money, and other donations made by friends or those who had heard of Project Dynamo's efforts.
"We used our personal vehicles and our personal boats, friends of friends and people who knew people, who knew people, and got in the water before the sun came up on day one of the hurricane. It's remarkable that all these people come together with resources that are donated essentially." Stern said.
Now, this most recent move will allow Project Dynamo to be more formalized. Joining other notable organizations like the Red Cross, United Way and the Salvation Army, Project Dynamo is now an official member of Florida Voluntary Organizations Activated in Disasters.
The membership will allow the State of Florida to call on Stern's team during natural disasters and provide the non-profit group with aid and supplies to get to work even quicker.
"We tend to be the first-first-first responders before everyone. So getting closer to the government allows the government to have a resource like Dynamo that can get on the ground faster than the Red Cross, faster than FEMA." Stern said. "Because we get there so quick, it gives the government and the State of Florida a really good resource to lean on."
To donate to FL VOAD or learn more about the program, click here.