In November 2009, BHCHP received a poignant and unexpected bequest from Dennis Buff, a long-time and well-known patient.
BHCHP cared for Dennis for years: in his cardboard box under a loading dock at the Wise Potato Chip factory in South Boston; in the hospital; in Barbara McInnis House, our medical respite program; and finally in housing. Dennis struggled with his mental health and alcohol use. He suffered the usual ravages of the street: frostbite, fractures, and a very deep sense of hopelessness.
Like many other homeless patients, he called us his “family” and listed us as next-of-kin in all of his diverse medical records and housing applications. With the constant support of his medical team and the staff at the Barbara McInnis House, one of these applications finally succeeded, and Dennis moved into his own apartment in the summer of 2008.
Unfortunately, on August 4, 2009, at much too young an age, Dennis passed away. Nearly four months later, we unexpectedly received a gift: a bequest of several thousand dollars.
Dennis is the first patient ever to leave a bequest to BHCHP, inspiring the board of directors to create the Dennis Buff Legacy Society in honor of him and the impact and messages of his gift: that we are, in the fullest sense, family for many of the patients we serve; and that one does not have to be wealthy to make a bequest of enduring importance.
