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TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida nonprofit has played a major role in getting Americans out of Israel since the country’s war with Hamas began in October 2023.
Grey Bull Rescue has brought thousands back, including Robyn and Neil Spirtas, who were in the Middle East on a volunteer mission.
What was supposed to be a trip of giving back unexpectedly changed overnight.
“In the middle of the night we were awakened by the missile sirens. They were on our phones and in the air. So we woke up and didn’t really know what was happening,” Robyn Spirtas said.
This was when the conflict between Israel and Iran began. The airports closed, so the Spirtas had to find a new way home. After many phone calls, they were connected to the nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue. Their mission is to rescue Americans in need.
“It took us 75 hours to get back. Three days of planes, buses, hotels,” Robyn said.
Through the challenges, the Spirtas are now home and join the roughly 7,000 people that Grey Bull has rescued over its lifetime.
“Took great courage and leadership to get us where we needed to go. We commend Grey Bull Rescue for everything that they do now and into the future,” Neil said.
Even though moving people across borders has been complex, it’s what Grey Bull is all about.
“Getting all those people together and trying to move them to areas where they can actually get evacuations through Cyprus, through Jordan, working with Syria, and dealing with all the conflict that’s going on over there, (it is) very, very difficult,” said Andy Wilson, who is on the Board of Directors for Grey Bull Rescue.
On Sunday, Grey Bull’s founder Bryan Stern was on the ground in Israel to witness the first phase of the peace plan play out.
“Seeing this come to fruition is going to give great closure to the team for something that we’ve been working on so long, as part of this particular mission set,” Wilson said.
Grey Bull Rescue is a nonprofit and relies on donations for support.
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Tyler O’Neill
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