August 1, 2011
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update: Rachel’s story inspires the nation.

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Many of you have been following our news about Rachel Beckwith, a nine-year-old girl from Seattle who tragically passed away in a car accident two weeks ago.

Earlier this year, Rachel launched a mycharity: water birthday campaign to raise $300. Rachel’s wish was to bring clean water to 15 people in need. Since her death, her campaign has raised more than $700,000 — which can bring water to more than 37,000 people. It’s by far the highest-raising mycharity: water campaign in history.

This morning, CBS’s The Early Show interviewed Rachel’s mom, Samantha, along with charity: water founder and CEO Scott Harrison. Here’s the story, if you missed it:

After the interview this morning, Samantha dropped by the charity: water office with a friend… and was greeted with a stack of letters and checks we got in the mail today from people all over the U.S. We opened them, read through them and spent some time just chatting in the office together.

samantha
samantha

We’re blown away by the support behind Rachel’s wish. See how people across the country — and even around the world — have responded to her campaign here >

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  • http://WomensBibleCafe.com Christine Smith

    I saw this story on CNN and was overjoyed in the value of one girl’s life. Ever life matters, and Rachel’s legacy for compassion will live on.  I tweeted, facebooked, and blogged her story for others to see the impact one small child can make in this world. I am the mom of a 9 year old girl and was especially moved by Rachel!

    • http://www.charitywater.org/blog charity: water

      Thanks so much, Christine.

  • Anonymous

    I am so proud of Samantha for finding strength in this charity.  Rachel was as beautiful and selfless as her mother.

  • http://twitter.com/VolunteerCard Volunteer Card

    Never ceases to amaze me!

  • http://www.facebook.com/lhtomlinson Lizzie Hemmen Tomlinson

    So proud of you, Sis! We all miss Rachel so much, but you’ve shown us all how to find strength in the beauty of the legacy she is leaving behind.

  • http://www.SiliconPrairieNews.com/ Jeff Slobotski

    Just amazing. Was in tears after watching this morning’s video…

    What a monumental tribute to Rachel’s life…

  • http://Twitter.com/Ed Ed

    Your daughter moved us mightily… 

  • http://Twitter.com/Ed Ed

    Your daughter moved us mightily… 

  • http://Twitter.com/Ed Ed

    Your daughter moved us mightily… 

  • http://Twitter.com/Ed Ed

    Your daughter moved us mightily… 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=529155903 Shannon Stone

    Samantha, your daughter’s pure heart and desire to help others has filled me with hope and sincere joy. She lives on in all of the lives she touches. I thank you for raising such a compassionate young woman filled with God’s love. She is a true example of how we all should live our lives. I lost my mom last year and i can just see her embracing Rachel in her arms, as they both watch over us all and smile at all the good that is being done through Rachel’s kindness.
    All my best,
    Shannon Stone

  • http://www.facebook.com/caramaea Maggie Roberts

    Her mother looks surprisingly well. I’m sure she was being stoic, but it also helps to be able to put a purpose to something that is otherwise senseless and tragic. I hope this brings Rachel’s family peace at the times when they miss her the most.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1733602789 Bonnie Mortensen

    My amazing, beautiful, and ever giving sister-in-law, Sam. :)  She has been the personification of grace and dignity.  Love you, Sam – and love you, Ronda for being the embodiment of true friendship. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1733602789 Bonnie Mortensen

    My amazing, beautiful, and ever giving sister-in-law, Sam. :)  She has been the personification of grace and dignity.  Love you, Sam – and love you, Ronda for being the embodiment of true friendship. 

  • Johnkang1

    tragedy leads to unity…  god bless you rachel and family…  god bless you scott and charitywater…

  • Randy

    I couldn’t imagine losing one of my daughters…..you both are strong in the Lord…..continue to let Him comfort you.

  • Featherb1

    I am so glad that there is an out pouring of support for this worthy cause. Someone needs to watch rhe ceo of this charities salary and make sure it doesnt increase exponentialy.

    • Randy

      you have to be kidding…..

    • Faithnlotus

      I believe that the money is being used the right way and have no doubt.

    • Ippudo

      Ya uhh hello, Charity: Water post their financials on their website….for YOU to make sure. On that note, Scott deserves a bigger salary! A MUCH bigger one thank you, I’ve looked at it. It’s time to start paying more people like Scott who get the job done!  

  • http://www.facebook.com/galiashok Ashok Gali

    This is really great.. The video is heart-touching as we can see how proud her mother and how happy Scott is so that he can help 35,000 to get water… Thanks to Rachel(may her soul rest in peace) and also to Scott without whom all this wouldn’t have been there..

  • Mike

    Rachel’s story is so inspiring.  Not only is she making a huge impact providing clean water……she is serving as a tremendous role model for our youth (and adults).   My thoughts and prayers are with the family and local community.

  • 3rross

    Rachel’ story touched me… she is an inspiration,  a 9 yr. old girl is doing such an amazing thing to help less fortunate children…then tragedy struck this family… God Bless Rachel & her family ! 

  • maureen

    I have been so inspired by the outpouring of support for Rachel’s campaign.  I wonder, though,  if the family is o.k. in terms of covering medical expenses.  Perhaps charity:water could post details if there is an effort to collect funds to support the family? 

  • Rob

    I have such a heart for great causes and this is one has blessing in numerous ways!

    This is a quote from one the donors that says it all PERFECTLY!
    Isaiah 61:3… Rachel, may your name be remembered as an oak
    of righteousness. To your family: may you be honored amidst your pain.
    And to those who will gain clean water, may you also find Living Water.

    In Christ,

  • Caitlin

    http://bobnw.org/ has a fund set up for the family 

  • SHELL

    ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS COMMENT?

  • shell

    not cool comment……Featherb1

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  • Praveen

    With 700,000$ we can do a lot of things in India.  We can Provide water for at least 500,000 people by drilling 450 wells at the tribal village s where these untouchables and Dalits Live. ( Each well will be drilled atleast 200 feet and will be useful for more than 1000+ people in the community in India. Any way god bless the vision of Rachel and she will be the inspiration for many Kids.

  • Carol Watson

    I just donated $50.00 but didn’t see a place on the form to designate it to go to Rachael’s cause. I just watched the report on the news and I was so moved Ihad to go right away and donate. Please add my donation toward her cause. Thanks so much. Carol Watson RH SC

    • Carol Watson

      Sorry I misspelled Rachel’s name. My thoughts and prayers go out to Rachel’s family.

  • http://www.charitywater.org/blog charity: water

    Hi, Carol — we tracked down your donation and it looks like you donated to our general water fund, on charitywater.org. For your donation to count towards Rachel’s campaign, you can donate on her mycharity: water campaign page here: http://mycharitywater.org/rachels9thbirthday

    If you’d like us to refund your first donation (made on charitywater.org), please email info@charitywater.org. Then, you can donate that amount Rachel’s page, to direct it towards her efforts. 

    Either way — for both/either donations — 100% of your money goes directly to fund clean water projects in the field. Thank you for your support!

    – the charity: water team

  • Gienna_wdinsure

    God is amazing. He uses his angels to bring glory to Him. Love you Rachel.

    • Rick

      Saint Rachel – The Patron Saint of Charity and Clean Water.

  • Pingback: Rachel’s Last Fund-Raiser | John Suhar

  • Donaldl Rhodes

    This is the way communities and organizations should work together and the bigger picture is carrying out. Congrats!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Nancy-Leming-Vance/1783352969 Nancy Leming- Vance

    what a truly amazing and unselfish little girl she was story is so touching and my prayers to the family.  god bless.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Nancy-Leming-Vance/1783352969 Nancy Leming- Vance

    what a truly inspiring and amazing little girl…..my prayers to the family…god bless

  • robert gamble

    rob in south carolina, this young lady IS the definition of [ paying it forward]! thank you rachel for setting an example for the rest of the world, this has truly made my day! GOD BLESS.

  • Jerry

    Her gift of giving to others at such a young age is a lesson that needs to be exposed today and every day, we all forget the real importance of life and that is how we use our time here on earth. She had so little time and such a great impact on the lives others, those she is helping and those she has helped remember we are here to help each other.
    Jerry P

  • Deb Anthony

    The unfortunate death of such a sweet babe has I believe been the catalyst to bring awareness of charity: water to the world like no other event could have done. I’d never heard of this charity prior to reading Rachel’s story. The ripple effect of the pebble Rachel has dropped in the ocean of life will be seen and felt wide and far. I’m sure the lives that Rachel has touched through her selfless actions on this earth will go far to comfort her parents in such a tragic loss. May God be with her family and especially her little sister, for little ones like Rachel’s sister, will feel the loss most profoundly of all through the coming years.

    P.S. A humble Thank You to Scott Harrison for starting charity: water which appears to have all the integrity one looks for in a charity. Keep up the great work you are doing for others. May God bless and protect you in reaching success in your cause!!!

  • drumwolf

    Are there any plans to create a permanent foundation in Rachel’s name? Making donations in her name is fine, but someone really needs to set up some kind of Rachel Beckwith Memorial Foundation or whatever. If any of you agree with me, please spread the word!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Santiago-Bernal/1404006910 Santiago Bernal

    This morning I had the honor to listen to Samantha Paul, Rachel’s mother.  Very touching and inspiring history.

  • Bewildered

    Everyone keeps saying God Bless…but why did he take the little girl away from her family in the first place? It really doesn’t make any sense. Rachel could have made a difference her entire life, instead of dying in a tragic car accident at 9 yrs of age only to inspire some people to donate money and then be done with it and be forgotten. I really do not understand why this had to happen. Rachel looks like a fun spirited, loving child and my heart goes out to that family. I wish that never had to happen. I wish Rachel could be here today to continue to do good works through-out the course of her long, happy life. 

    • Rhswind

      God doesn’t take….He gives. He would it of not of happened either. An accident happened and death to Rachel…..tragic. If anything God took her from death. God is a lifegiver providing hope beyond this present world. His promise is (because of His heart and character) to turn all things for the good to those who love Him and are called to His purpose. Her family will be reunited once again because of the sacrifice Jesuas Christ made. That is the ultimate difference maker. Put your hope and trust in Him.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrey-Blyznyuk/100000101342181 Andrey Blyznyuk

    just saw the story on Russian news.  I had tears in my eye.

  • Mila

    I think we HAVE TO DONATE to these poor people of Africa as well. We use water without thinking that it is a God’s Blessing!!!