As some of you may have read in my post on August 14, I’m amazed at the Rachel Beckwith story, and I continue to be amazed, as this thing is not over yet. In many ways, this story will never end as donations to Rachel’s final cause continue to flow in from all over the world.

I wanted to share the latest stats with you, and please, don’t hesitate to jump on the givin’ bandwagon! If you do, whatever the amount may be, go ahead and submit an AOK (with a *ForRachel flashtag, of course). Remember your AOKs are financially paid forward through our Cause Currency to charities and causes all over the world.

Twelve days ago I reported that Rachel Beckwith, the 9-year-old girl who had been killed in a car accident in July, left behind a heart-wrenching story and a donation page on a charity website dedicated to funding freshwater projects in developing nations. She had created the page in lieu of presents for her 9th birthday, in hopes she could raise $300 to help children in Africa access clean water. By the time her birthday rolled around, Rachel was $80 short, but in the weeks following her death, the amount of money donated, and the number of clearly affected people, is staggering.

In the twelve days since my post, Rachel has raised another $175,152 – bringing the grand total to $1,231,927 – 4,106 times her original goal.

In other words, or I suppose, numbers, $1.2 million covers the cost of more than 2,468 iPad 2s, or 61 brand-new Toyota Camrys. According to the US Census Bureau’s statistics, the average new American home in 2010 sold for $272,900. The money accumulated could buy 4.5 of those homes.

Charity:water, Rachel’s chosen charity, reports that this money will go to help 61,596 people, an increase of 8,758. That’s insanely cool – over 12 days, more than 8,000 additional people have been helped. And it’s all thanks to Rachel, and to people willing to give their time, money and energy on something a little more.

As I was researching for this post I was perusing the comments section of Rachel’s page. I came across this story and saw in the comments following it, it had inspired two more donations. Awesome. Dated Sept. 1 and accompanying a $100 donation, it reads:

“On July 24th, I received a phone call that a kidney had become available for me and was being flown down from Bellevue Washington to Sacramento California and that it was from a 9 year old child who died in a car accident. At 10pm that night I was wheeled into surgery for a transplant operation. I am so profoundly touched by the gererousity and kindness of Rachaels family to donate her organs that day. I am now the proud owner and care giver of one of Rachaels kidneys. My health has done a complete 180 degree turn around since the operation. I am off dialysis and feel just fantastic. I had my life returned to me and as repayment to Rachael, I plan to carry her charitable torch for the rest of my life. Thank you to the Beckwith family, you have a friend for life. Mark J”

The number of days Rachel’s account is still accepting donations? 28.

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Every so often, a story comes along that rips your heart out because of the sheer tragedy of the situation. And then, it completely strengthens your faith in people.

I’m talking about Rachel Beckwith’s story. If you haven’t already seen it on CNN, in the NY Times, or like me, on Adrian Grenier’s Twitter, get ready for this one.

Rachel was a kid who always wanted to do more to help people. When she was 5 years old, she heard about Locks of Love, an organization that takes donated hair and make wigs for children who have lost theirs for medical reasons, such as chemotherapy. Being the kindergartener that she was, Rachel cut off her hair. And then, years later when it was long enough, again.

When she was 8 years old, a fraction of what most of us are, Rachel was appalled to learn some people in Africa don’t have clean drinking water. Through the organization charity:water, Rachel and her church began fundraising to support the cause, and apparently, it had quite the effect on her. For her ninth birthday, Rachel didn’t ask for Barbies or gift cards or video games. No, no. None of that. Still thinking of others, Rachel created a donation page on charity:water and asked for donations in lieu of presents. Unfortunately, Rachel’s goal of $300 wasn’t met by her June 12th birthday. She fell just $80 short.

But can you believe that? This little girl was so selfless, so thoughtful of others, she gave up her birthday presents to raise $300 so people in Africa could have clean water. She was a mover and shaker before she was 10 years old.

And as of last month, she never will be.

On July 20 Rachel was fatally injured in a car accident with her family – all of whom, except 9-year-old Rachel, survived. She was taken off life support when they knew she would never wake up, and her parents donated her organs and hair. As she would have wished, the latter went to Locks of Love. Rachel gave every last thing she could.

It hasn’t been one month since that fateful 13-car pile-up near Seattle. It hasn’t been one month since Rachel’s family’s world likely collapsed from every conceivable angle. It also hasn’t been one month since a very, very miraculous thing has occurred, and is still occurring now, as I write.

In the wake of a tragic accident, Rachel’s charity:water page reached its goal of $300. It also reached the $1,000 mark. It’s collected more than $10,000, $100,000 and $500,000. As of four days ago, more than $850,000 has been donated by people all over the world, in honor and in memory of Rachel and what she stood for.

As I write this now, 9-year-old Rachel Beckwith has raised $1,056,775.

There have been 27,307 donations made. This will help 52,838 people. Her account will accept donations for 47 more days.

I find two things specifically touching about this still unfolding story.

The fact that a little girl can have such insight, such idealism, such a “I can make a difference” attitude is astounding to me. She was 9 years old. 9. I think Rachel did more in her single-digit lifespan than many people may do with triple-digits. Through her hope of a better tomorrow for people in need, Rachel will live forever.

But this is not just Rachel’s story – this is also an incredible example of people coming together for one cause. The amount love being shown here is immeasurable, and it’s enough to put a whole bunch of weight on your chest, a lump in your throat. There are hundreds of donations for $9, in honor of Rachel’s 9 years of life. There are some for $18, and there are even donations for $1,000, given all in one go. There are parents and grandparents donating in multiples of 9, for each of their children and grandchildren. There are parents donating on behalf of their children, who heard the story and wanted to help a girl their own age. There are people writing messages of support for Rachel’s family – my favorite of which describe how when their young children are adults, they hope they will embody the same characteristics Rachel had.

This is the kind of thing when you’re having a shitty day, nothing’s gone right, everyone’s just in it for themselves, and you just don’t see things getting better soon…this is the kind of thing that erases all of that and restores your faith in people.

On behalf of this incredible story, and on behalf of Rachel, I’m challenging you, the AOK community. Donate what you can, even if it’s not quite $9. If you can, donate more than $9. Then, tell other people about it – even submit an AOK with the flashtag *ForRachel. Let’s see how much more support we can generate for Rachel’s cause, her last wish even. And because you’re playing AOK, your submitted acts and observations of kindness are paid forward financially through our Cause Currency. This month’s cause is famine in Africa. I hope Rachel would have liked that.

Donate here.

 

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