A year after her death, Rachel Beckwith's legacy lives on
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SEATTLE -- Rachel Beckwith's life was far too short on years, but it was long on purpose.
When the 9-year old girl died nearly a year ago, she inspired a campaign to provide clean drinking water. Now her family is planning a trip to honor Rachel's inspired life.
Rachel had a simple wish: Instead of birthday presents, she asked for donations to provide clean water in developing countries.
"I always knew she was going to do something big. But I never would have thought it would be something so noble, something that would change people's lives for the better," said Rachel's mother, Samantha Paul.
When Rachel died in a multi-car crash on I-90, her charity campaign went global, eventually raising more than $1.25 million.
To mark the anniversary of her death, Rachel's family and pastor are going to Ethiopia.
"We're going to actually see the work done," said Ryan Meeks, a pastor at Eastlake Community Church. "It's one thing to have your heartstrings pulled on and give money to something, but it's another thing to actually see the work proven. This went somewhere. This changed actual lives and here they are."
Paul said it would be amazing to see one well supplying water to one area thanks to Rachel.
"That's what I'm looking forward to the most, is seeing the actual well and seeing people drinking out of the well. And knowing that because she had this birthday wish that this came out of it," she said.
But the money raised through Rachel's campaign goes beyond one well.
"Over 60,000 people and I can't remember the exact number of wells, but it is thousands of wells," Meeks said.
On the anniversary of Rachel's death, there will certainly be sorrow, but that sorrow pales behind Rachel's gift.
"Probably just pride," Paul said of how she'll feel seeing the charity in action. "An amazing amount of pride for my daughter."
The group will leave next Friday.
When the 9-year old girl died nearly a year ago, she inspired a campaign to provide clean drinking water. Now her family is planning a trip to honor Rachel's inspired life.
Rachel had a simple wish: Instead of birthday presents, she asked for donations to provide clean water in developing countries.
"I always knew she was going to do something big. But I never would have thought it would be something so noble, something that would change people's lives for the better," said Rachel's mother, Samantha Paul.
When Rachel died in a multi-car crash on I-90, her charity campaign went global, eventually raising more than $1.25 million.
To mark the anniversary of her death, Rachel's family and pastor are going to Ethiopia.
"We're going to actually see the work done," said Ryan Meeks, a pastor at Eastlake Community Church. "It's one thing to have your heartstrings pulled on and give money to something, but it's another thing to actually see the work proven. This went somewhere. This changed actual lives and here they are."
Paul said it would be amazing to see one well supplying water to one area thanks to Rachel.
"That's what I'm looking forward to the most, is seeing the actual well and seeing people drinking out of the well. And knowing that because she had this birthday wish that this came out of it," she said.
But the money raised through Rachel's campaign goes beyond one well.
"Over 60,000 people and I can't remember the exact number of wells, but it is thousands of wells," Meeks said.
On the anniversary of Rachel's death, there will certainly be sorrow, but that sorrow pales behind Rachel's gift.
"Probably just pride," Paul said of how she'll feel seeing the charity in action. "An amazing amount of pride for my daughter."
The group will leave next Friday.
