When Peter Winder and his family moved from England to the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s, they were looking forward to building a network of neighbors and friends. They weren’t expecting the Northwest to become their forever home.
“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that your community can also be your family,” Peter says. “The strength of the family you create is your home,” Peter says.
Peter admired the sense of home at Bailey-Boushay House (BBH) when he visited in 1995 – which ultimately inspired a lifetime of giving. The Winders went to BBH with their son James. His close friend Rick, who was dying of AIDS, had moved to BBH for his end-of-life care.
“In the 1990s, Seattle’s gay community was very close. Our son James, who is gay, introduced us to many of his friends, including Rick. My wife Pat and I started going to many holiday celebrations with their group of friends. We shared many laughs and memories,” Peter says. “So it was difficult to lose someone who was part of that family.”
After Rick died, James volunteered at BBH. Peter and Pat began making monthly gifts.
“At the time, people were scared of HIV/AIDS. But at Bailey-Boushay, people, young and old, came together and created a place for people who were terribly sick to feel welcome and cared for,” he said. “It made us very happy to see people care for Rick and care about him.”
Giving to BBH became a commitment that the Winders never questioned. Even when the couple retired in Tucson, Arizona, their giving continued.
“No matter where we moved, Pat or myself would call Bailey-Boushay House to let them know that we had a new address and our monthly gifts would continue,” he says. “We knew that Bailey-Boushay depended on contributions from the community and we wanted to be part of that support.”
Inspired by the kindness of BBH's staff, Pat spent years volunteering in hospice homes and working with older adults. Peter was devastated when she died of COVID in 2020.
“Pat was an exceptionally giving and welcoming person. She loved to volunteer. For Pat, giving her time was a way to build a family in the community,” he says.
After Pat's death, their sons encouraged Peter to move back to WA. And once again, he let BBH know that his gifts would continue
“I’m fortunate to have two children who care about me and can make time for me. Not everyone has that kind of support. That’s why I think it’s extremely important to give to places like Bailey-Boushay and I only wish I could give more,” he said.
For more than 30 years, Bailey-Boushay House has been providing complex in-patient care to people with HIV/AIDS and other complex diseases like cancer, Huntington’s and ALS. Donor support makes it possible for us to serve every patient with the medical, social and emotional care they need.
 |
| Terms of Use |  |
Privacy Policy | |
Notice of Privacy Practices | |
Site Map | |
Home |
