Monday, Oct. 27, will mark seven years since 11 people were killed inside Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue. On Sunday, volunteers gathered at Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh to pack dental-care kits and honor Dr. Richard Gottfried, one of the victims.
The effort — organized by the 10/27 Healing Partnership — drew people of all ages, including children as young as four. The kits will be distributed to community members in need at Catholic Charities’ dental clinic.
Gottfried and his wife, Dr. Peg Durachko, owned a dental practice and frequently volunteered at Catholic Charities to provide care for patients who could not afford it. Durachko attended Sunday’s event with family and friends.
“I want people to have good dental health,” Durachko said. “I’m a retired dentist, but still love the profession. I want people to feel good about dentistry and coming here. Catholic Charities itself helps to show people that it’s wonderful to volunteer and to do good, to show kindness to others.”
Catholic Charities serves clients of all faiths; about 84% are non-Catholic. Two years ago, the agency moved to a larger facility on the Boulevard of the Allies, allowing it to expand programs and clinical services.
After the expansion, a donor offered to name a single operatory for Gottfried. The Catholic Charities board instead voted to dedicate the entire dental clinic in his memory.
The clinic provides care to people living at or below 250% of the federal poverty line, including uninsured and underinsured patients. Many are full-time workers who still cannot afford private dental care.
Catholic Charities said it will continue partnering with nonprofits to break down barriers to care and expand access to dental and other health services.