A Legacy of Caring: Why Mary Harrison Chose to Give Back for Generations to Come

For many in Powhatan, Mary Harrison is a familiar face.

Over the years, she has dedicated countless hours to strengthening the community she calls home. Serving through numerous community organizations, Mary has spent a lifetime helping neighbors navigate difficult seasons and find hope when they need it most.

But her commitment to service isn't rooted in obligation. It's rooted in experience.

Throughout her life, Mary and her family have faced their own share of health challenges, hardship, and loss. Those experiences gave her a deep understanding of how quickly circumstances can change and how important it is to have a community willing to step forward when help is needed.

A simple phrase has guided her through those experiences:

"There but for the grace of God go I."

It's a belief that has shaped not only how Mary sees the world, but how she chooses to live in it.

A Life of Service

For Mary, helping others has never been about recognition. It has always been about responsibility.

Over the years, she has volunteered, led community initiatives, supported local nonprofits, and worked alongside others to improve life in Powhatan. Her service reflects a conviction that communities are strongest when neighbors care for one another.

When asked why she continues to give her time and support, her answer is simple:

"If we can, we should."

That philosophy has inspired decades of service and generosity, touching countless lives along the way.

Looking Beyond Today

Recently, Mary took another step in her commitment to the community she loves.

She chose to include the Free Clinic of Powhatan in her legacy plans, helping ensure that future generations will continue to have access to compassionate healthcare close to home.

For Mary, this decision wasn't about making a grand gesture. It was a natural extension of the values she has carried throughout her life.

She believes that caring for others shouldn't end with our lifetime. Through a legacy gift, the impact of generosity can continue for years to come, supporting neighbors we may never meet but whose lives will be changed because someone cared enough to plan ahead.

Two volunteers working in our pharmacy and lab at FCP.

What Legacy Giving Really Means

Many people assume legacy giving is only for the wealthy. In reality, a legacy gift can be one of the most meaningful ways to support a cause that reflects your values.

A gift through a will, trust, retirement account, or beneficiary designation allows individuals to create a lasting impact while continuing to provide for loved ones.

For organizations like the Free Clinic of Powhatan, these gifts help ensure long-term stability and sustainability, allowing future patients to receive the same compassionate care that serves our community today.

A Legacy Built on Compassion

Mary's story reminds us that a legacy is about more than financial assets. It's about the values we pass on, the lives we touch, and the difference we choose to make.

She included the Free Clinic in her plans because:

"Because that's what we're here on Earth for."

Her answers reflect the same spirit that has guided her entire life:

At the Free Clinic of Powhatan, we are honored to be part of Mary's legacy and grateful for the example she sets for all of us.

Her story is a reminder that generosity doesn't simply change lives today—it can strengthen a community for generations to come.

To learn more about leaving a legacy gift to the Free Clinic of Powhatan, please contact Samantha Donald at 804-598-5637.