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YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

Donations pour in for 9-year-old’s clean water cause after tragic accident

By Liz Goodwin | The Lookout – Wed, Jul 27, 2011

Rachel Beckwith (CharityWater)Nine-year-old Rachel Beckwith didn't live long enough to reach her goal of raising $300 to bring clean water to African villagers. She died in a 13-car accident on Interstate 90 in Bellevue, Wash., last week, the Seattle Times reported. Since then, hundreds of thousands of dollars have flowed into the charity page she set up shortly before her accident, with more than 9,000 people contributing $368,000 to Rachel's cause.

The 9-year-old told family and friends she didn't want presents for her June 12 birthday, only donations to the non-profit Charity Water.

"I found out that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday," Rachel wrote. "And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water so I'm celebrating my birthday like never before. I'm asking from everyone I know to donate to my campaign instead of gifts for my birthday. Every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund freshwater projects in developing nations."

Rachel had only raised $220 by the time her birthday came, so she closed the page. But after the tragic accident, Rachel's pastor at Eastlake Community Church, Ryan Meeks, brought the page back up and publicized it on the church's website. As news of Rachel's cause spread, more and more people found and donated to Rachel's page, many leaving personal comments about how touched they were by her selflessness.

"Thank you for your generous heart and for inspiring such generosity in others," wrote an anonymous donor who gave $45 to the charity. Another donor who left $9 wrote: "Say hello to my Jesse."

Rachel's mother Samantha Paul posted on Monday that she was in "awe" of the flood of support. "In the face of unexplainable pain you have provided undeniable hope," she wrote. "I know Rachel is smiling!"

Rachel was on life support after the accident, and her church is raising money to help the family pay those medical bills here. Rachel's fresh water donation page is here.

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1,722 comments

sommers • 10 mths ago
Thank you Rachel. You made the world a better place to live in. I salute you...
xxcrossed • 10 mths ago
R I P and her family are in our prayers!
- Keith 10 mths ago
  Because a prayer is really gonna do something lol.
- RobinP 10 mths ago
  Yes Keith - a prayer is really gonna do something. You might try it and see where it gets you. It's not a magic wand, it's a communication line to the King of Peace.
- YZ250 rider 10 mths ago
  Do you want us to pray for you Keith? You probably need it.
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Reply
HELEN • 10 mths ago
Bless you baby girl.....I'm sure that you're fine in his arms now...
4everluvjc • 10 mths ago
that's one of the most beautiful things I ever read! Wow wow wow! God is good. In every bad, a beautiful thing can come. I bet she's smiling up there in heaven telling God, "See I did it! I was able to bring water for the needy." Amazing!
- Craig 10 mths ago
  God is good? wow you sound insane! If he was all powerful and good spare this girl and make it rain on all the drought countries! Sometimes you religious nuts make me laugh!
- Faith Antonette 10 mths ago
  Craig: That's because that's how life is. Everyone has to die, good or not. You might as well be happy for Rachel instead of bashing other people's beliefs.
- Blue4u 10 mths ago
  Craig, believing in a God force is not necessarily a religious thing. Some people are truly spiritual, like this unselfish child. What have you done to make this world a better place? My guess is that you do nothing but complain and fling insults at people you judge as 'religious nuts".You should be ashamed of yourself
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Alicia • 10 mths ago
I work with a non-profit called donate Life here in Washington State. What this article didn't say was that the little girl was an organ donor. She was able to save the lives of several people. Her parents are now speaking out about organ donation and how their daughters gift was something that helped them find peace knowing that she gave the gift of life to others.
- Carol 10 mths ago
  Thank you for sharing that. It makes this family that much more remarkable. God bless them all and keep them in peace.
- AmberL 10 mths ago
  This little girl was so much wiser than her years her on earth. What an amazing spirit.
- Julia 10 mths ago
  What a beautifully tragic story. May God bless her soul. Her family is in my prayers.
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red • 10 mths ago
With all the horrible things in the world today..this gives me hope for a better tomorrow.
- perpetuategoodness 10 mths ago
  me too. I was having a hard day and felt deep sorrow until I read this story. Now I want to go out and do a random act of kindness today and tomorrow and the next day.......
redrider • 10 mths ago
What a sweet little angel...
- Nsama 10 mths ago
  So sweet and loving.
kindofclever • 10 mths ago
I pray for you precious little girl thank you and your family for sharing your kindness with others while you were here.
had enuff • 10 mths ago
What a beautiful child. May you rest in peace little one. It is true when they say the GOOD die young.
merlin s • 10 mths ago
FINALLY SOME ONE GETS IT, DONT WE ALL KNOW ITS ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL WE SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF EACH OTHER RATHER THAN KILLING ONE ANOTHER
Tazio • 10 mths ago
God Bless that little girl, and may she rest in peace.
thefirstdiggit • 10 mths ago
The world is a poorer place without this compassionate little one. May the parents find peace, one day....
Tannzzi • 10 mths ago
From the Mouths of Babes, May God Cradle this Precious Soul in his Arms & Help Console her Mother & Father &Family. We Need More Unselfish People like her that Gave from Her Heart! Rest In Peace Rachel
JimmyDaLock • 10 mths ago
From the mouths of children ... This should be read before a joint session of Congress as they play childish games with ours and our children's futures. God Bless you, Rachel.
skippyjon • 10 mths ago
This is REAL news. Not celeb garbage. Yahoo keep this story running. No more Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Sarah Palin nonsense. Rachel Beckwith contributed more in her short life than any of these self-absorbed entities.
Living Dead • 10 mths ago
This story has me all broken up. Rachael is just like my little angel Juliana who died of leukemia at age 9 two and a half years ago. She was dedicated to helping children with autism and was involved with the program at her school helping autistic children socialize. Maybe Juliana and Rachael are now friends in heaven.
patsy-dinck • 10 mths ago
People are saying, "What could have been". I say, Rachel was sent from God for a reason, and Job Well Done, Rachel !!!! She has done in her short life what most adults don't even attempt to achieve in their whole life. God Bless You Little Angel.!!
RICK • 10 mths ago
Whether or not you agree with what she was doing or if there is a God or not...this little girl believed she was doing something right and good.You little racists and hang dogs
will never understand there is good in people still...
Shannon • 10 mths ago
It would of been nice to see her reach her goal b4 she passed, Rest in Peace BABY GIRL
KeeferK • 10 mths ago
so when she was alive she only got $220 donated and shut down the site because no one was donating? but she dies and 9000+ people start donating to what she believed in. It’s sad that her death was the only reason people started donating more and she didn’t get to see her dream come true.

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