A Legacy of Compassion: VMRC’s Showalter Donors

When George Branner Showalter included a $1,000 gift in his will “for the building of a home for the elderly,” he likely couldn’t have imagined the lasting impact it would have. His son, M.C. Showalter, brought that vision to life in 1954 with the help of friends and neighbors, opening what is now known as VMRC. M.C. served as president of the Board of Directors until 1965, helping to establish a strong foundation for a community built on compassion and service.

In honor of that original gift, VMRC now recognizes anyone who donates $1,000 or more as a Showalter Donor, a tribute to the generosity that helped launch the organization. These donors carry forward a tradition that began with one man’s vision to care for the elderly in his community.

One such donor is Dave Eshleman, a VMRC resident who has been supporting the Compassion Fund for 8 years. “I think one of the real blessings of life is the opportunity of giving to those who need help,” he shares. “The lord gives us assets, benefits and things we can also give away to others.”

VMRC’s Compassion Fund provides ongoing care for residents who have outlived their financial resources, ensuring they can continue to live in the community they call home. “This is a very important part of who we are at VMRC, as we care for the residents, and the administration does all it can to continue to care for those individuals,” Dave says.

The Compassion Fund and the Showalter Donor tradition reflect VMRC’s deep commitment to caring for one another with dignity and respect. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like Dave and many others, VMRC continues to be a place where legacy, community and compassion thrive.

If you feel inspired to be part of this ongoing story of care, click below to learn more about how you can support the Compassion Fund and the residents who benefit from it!