9-year-old raises more than $100K for charity

When Rachel Beckwith turned nine in June, she didn’t ask for barbies or clothes. Instead, she wanted her friends and family to donate to charity:water, a decision she made after learning that millions of people don’t live to see their fifth birthday because they don’t have access to clean and safe water. This weekend, Rachel was involved in a tragic multi-vehicle car accident and was finally taken off life-support after an arduous battle. Now, Rachel will not live to see any more birthdays, but members from her church are taking her final birthday wish to the next level. Originally, Rachel’s goal was to raise $300. Now, her memory and good will has helped to raise more than $121,573, enough to serve more than 6,000 people in need of clean water.

Mother Nature Network, 7/25/2011