CEDARBURG, Wis. — As the war in Israel continues, a Wisconsin woman is packing her bags to help in any way she can.
Heather Berken, of Cedarburg, has traveled to Israel many times in her life.
However, this trip will be different. Berken is flying into Israel while a war is going on. She is going hoping to help people who need it.
On Tuesday, she spent her morning before her flight packing two large duffle bags filled with items like tourniquets, gauze, socks and other necessities for those on the front lines.
“The only thing that has made me be able to close my eyes and sleep is thinking that I can go there and offer some help,” Berken said.
Berken has been a nurse for 22 years, currently working in the emergency department at the Milwaukee VA.
She said after seeing what was going on in Israel, which is a country many of her family and friends call home, she knew she needed to help.
“Packing this stuff up and I’m just excited to get this to the right people who can get this to the right people who need it. That makes me feel good,” she said.
Berken said her plan is to stay for two weeks. She hopes to be able to use her medical skills to help in any way she can or just help out family and friends who need assistance during this time.
“It’s only two duffle bags, you know,” Berken said. “I don’t know how much good two duffel bags can do, but it will do some good,”
For the past week or so, she’s been taking donations and items from people in Wisconsin wanting to get supplies to Israel.
One woman dropped off bulletproof vests and helmets to give to family members who are trying to rebuild in dangerous areas of the country.
Berken said she’s found these connections through the power of social media and said being able to help is the best way for her to assist during this crisis.
“It’s been helpful to unite me with a community of people who feel just as passionately and strongly about Israel, even though we don’t live there,” she said.
While she had a lot of anticipation and a few worries on Tuesday while packing, she said she knows this is what she is called to do and is looking forward to getting her boots on the ground to help.