In December 2023, I received an email from the organization DVI (Dental Volunteers for Israel) describing how they were treating the thousands of Israelis displaced from their homes by the attack on October 7^th along with the underserved youth population they usually treat. The email also stated that many volunteers had cancelled their trips due to the war.

I had been agonizing about the war and had made financial contributions but still had a feeling of helplessness. I realized immediately that this was my opportunity to contribute in a personal way to the plight of our brothers and sisters. I set in motion plans to travel to Israel, and two months later, I was blessed to find myself at the Trudi Birger Dental Clinic contributing my skills in a meaningful way.