Rachel Beckwith, 9, Dies From Tragic Crash; Donors Raise $1 Million In Her Name (UPDATE)

UPDATED: Aug. 12, 2011 4 p.m.

Though Rachel Beckwith was just 9 years old when she died, her thirst for bringing clean drinking water to those in need continues to live on.

Rachel was taken off life support on Saturday after she sustained fatal injuries in a 14-vehicle pile up near her home in Bellevue, Wash. three days earlier, CNN reports. But when her life was cut short, Rachel's determination to save others was resurrected.

While celebrating her birthday in June, Rachel declined presents and asked that friends and family contribute instead to charity: water, a nonprofit that provides safe water to developing nations, her aunt Veronica Del Rosario told CNN.

"She cares about other people more than herself. For her birthday, she didn't want any presents. She told us not buy her presents. She wanted everyone to give money so that children and parents could have water."

Rachel raised $220, just $80 short of her goal.

But then news of the crash spread. Rachel's mother, Samantha Paul, was traveling on I-90 when a semitrailer jackknifed into a logging truck, the Seattle Times reports. The logs clogged traffic, causing the pileup. Then, the semi ran into Paul's car.

Rachel was the only person critically injured, and doctors couldn't save her, according to the Times.

Now, news of her past birthday mission has touched people all over. Donations continue to pour in to her fundraising page.

Her efforts have raked in more than $1 million at last count, with donations as little as a few dollars all the up to thousands. A $900 donation was posted from an anonymous donor, along with a $5 donation from Simon Kitchen, who wrote: "I wish I could give more, but I'm only 8 years old and this is my week's allowance. I hope it goes up to at least $1,000,000."

Rachel had originally been inspired by her church's fundraiser for charity: water.

"She did what she could and now she can't," Rachel's pastor Jeremy Johnson told CNN. "But we can pick up where she left off."

Honor Rachel's birthday wish by giving to charity: water through her fundraising page.

CORRECTION: This story initially said Jerome Williams donated his allowance, but the donor was actually a young boy named Simon Kitchen. The post has been updated to reflect the change.

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Comments

[exnavangel]

03:45 PM on 08/02/2011

What a true inspiration. Makes you really see that material objects really do not matter. This girl has really touched my heart.

[DavidBeckwith]

02:18 AM on 07/29/2011

Contrast the off-balanced sacrifice-denying, earthguzzling killjoys in Washington, and on corporate jets and boardrooms, with this young lady, who didn't want anything for her birthday, but wanted instead that people donated money to save some thirsty African children, whom she did not even know. And by the magic of her generosity, over a half a million dollars were raised, almost overnight, to fulfill her vision. She was nine years old. And she sacrificed everything. Including her life. She is their antonym. She is the perfect Democrat. Would that the world were so good. Poor, poor billionaires. I, me and mine. Iota. She is a symbol for what they are not. May her memory live forever. And may theirs not. Maybe she died at this time just to show how base the penny-pinching billionaires and such really are, and just how little effect their billions will have on improving the world and it's inhabitants. Her liberality is helping thousands, while their conservatism is hurting even more.

[the baumer]

06:37 PM on 08/19/2011

I created an account just to reply to this...

I'm a conservative, Christian (definitely not rich by any means, barely scraping by), I've been to Africa to work with those afflicted with AIDS, i've been to the Philippines to build a community center and feed villages, i've spent countless hours distributing food and supplies to the homeless, those living in hotels, etc... I mentor youth, i help widows with yard work, i financially support non-profits...

I'm not saying this to puff myself up, but rather to demonstrate that there are a LOT of conservatives out there who do a lot for the world. However, i would rather support my church and non-profit NGO's for this type of work rather than the government... I would like to decide where my time and money goes, not have it decided for me.

Please don't paint the brush that all conservatives don't care, in fact, there are a LOT of conservatives that do care and that spend significant amounts of time and money to help.

[olafTheAwesome]

05:38 PM on 07/28/2011

This is a touching story...

[oceanview136]

08:31 PM on 07/27/2011

This little girl has a beautiful soul !!! I am so sorry that this child did not get to live a full life, as I think that she would have gone on to do aome amazing things in her life !!!

[Chadskies]

07:19 PM on 07/27/2011

HOW IS THIS NOT ON THE FRONT PAGE?

She has now raised over $450,000 !

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43918291/ns/local_news-seattle_wa/

[Elizabeth Thorp]

09:18 PM on 07/30/2011

Totally agree. What an amazing little girl and inspiring story!!

[GBYACHT]

11:28 AM on 07/27/2011

What a sweet little girl. God took her to do even better things. Although, I feel, charity begins at home. In America there are people starving that can't put food on the table for their children through no choice of their own. Although, they may have running water? Blessings to the family.

[Rosalind Barclay]

09:59 AM on 07/27/2011

So sweet :-)!

[InisLass]

05:44 AM on 07/27/2011

Precious loving child.

[mk1cameron]

01:29 AM on 07/27/2011

And this is truly a hallmark for mankind,So young with goals so velvet and clear she wanted nothing more then to help humanity into a brighter tomorrow,im 21 and i consider her a hero to me for this.

[caugrl]

01:29 AM on 07/27/2011

This is sad beyond comprehension.

[19th Amendment]

12:24 AM on 07/27/2011

An incredible story. Condolences to Rachel's family. Clearly, she was a treasure and continues to be through her name and wishes. What a lovely little girl.

[Stacy Marston]

12:09 AM on 07/27/2011

This story made me cry. What a bittersweet and poignant story. The response from others is simply beautiful.

[wildwoman1015]

12:00 AM on 07/27/2011

I am so sorry for the loss of this precious child. She was wise beyond her years.
I do not understand people who took this as a platform for THEMSELVES to go on & on about loyalty at home. Don't get me wrong, I am adamant about trying to help whomever I can, (Usually someone I actually SEE somewhere.) but also other causes. I'm not here to "toot my horn".
I think some are missing the point. We're not talking about a donation as a COUNTRY, STATE, ANY of that. We are talking about a CHILD who believed in this with all HER heart, not yours, not mine. If doing something for this young lady in honor of her memory compels you from the goodness in your heart, than by all means be blessed & do it. If it just makes you want to raise discontent then there is a little "X" in the right hand corner. Don't do this to this baby's legacy. PLEASE have some respect for her parents. As a grieving mother myself I can tell you, they do not need any more pain.

[Sarahmorton]

12:49 AM on 07/27/2011

I signed in specifically to become your first fan. Wishing you blessings and comfort in your time of grief.

[frieda406]

09:13 PM on 07/28/2011

fanned.

[ohio1113]

11:32 PM on 07/26/2011

I laugh at the people on here talking about the poor in this country. I'm not saying there aren't poor people (lots of them) in this country, but do you think you know who the poor people really are? The people that truly struggle are probably not who you think.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

11:30 PM on 07/26/2011

I read this story on another site. I hope there are many, many more children like her around the world for the children are the future. Donating was a no-brainer. Condolences to her family.