Girl who died in accident prompts monetary outpouring to her charity of choice

Pastor Jeremy Johnson of Eastlake Church in Bothell poured his heart out when describing one of his churchgoers who died in a massive interstate accident last weekend.

“She was a champion,” he said in a video message on the church’s Web site.

Rachel Beckwith, 9, of Issaquah died of head trauma and spinal-cord trauma Saturday at Harborview Medical Center after she, her mother, Samantha Paul, and younger sister, Sienna, were involved in a 13-car pile up on Interstate 90 last Wednesday. (Samantha suffered a head injury and is expected to make a full recovery, Johnson said, and Sienna wasn’t injured.)

“It’s such devastating news,” the pastor continued. “I was able to be with the family several different times at Harborview (last) week.” Rachel, who celebrated her 9th birthday June 12, was set to be baptized July 31; she was baptized in the hospital. A memorial service was held Sunday at the church.

What stands out about Rachel, Johnson noted, is that for her 9th birthday wish, she partnered with Charity: Water with a goal of raising $300 to help supply clean drinking water to children in African villages. She hit $220, and “while most people would have considered this a success, Rachel wasn’t satisfied. She immediately determined that next June, on her 10th birthday, she would figure out a way to raise more money,” read a message on the church’s Web site.

In Rachel’s honor, Eastlake churchgoers and many other people who have heard about her story are continuing her dream. At post time, the total donations to Rachel’s 9th Birthday Wish has grown to nearly $577,000 and counting. Nearly 16,800 people have donated money.

Johnson added that Rachel wanted to “make a difference around the world and bring water to people who didn’t have any.”

“It is amazing to me that little Rachel, all the way over here in Washington, will be the reason that so many children on the other side of the world get to live into adulthood,” read a Facebook message.

Eastlake pastors Johnson and Ryan Meeks are pleased to see the overflowing support for the family and the water crisis.

“Our primary focus now is to make sure that the family doesn’t have to incur crippling expenses related to medical or funeral bills. It is to this that we now direct our energies,” they wrote on the church’s Web site. “We are so thankful for all the outpouring of support and love for this special girl and the hope that is being dispensed because of her.”

A benefit concert for Rachel’s family will be held from 9-11:30 p.m. Thursday at Liquid Lime, 12015 124th Ave. N.E., Kirkland. Cover is $5 minimum.

To donate, visit http://www.mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=16396

Band of Brothers NW, a growth group made up of Eastlake Church members, is accepting donations for the family at http://bobnw.org/