This Guest Posting comes from Tamela Cole, Phinney Estate Law's contract paralegal who does such great work for our clients in the areas of probate and family law.
“Leaving a legacy is about the impact that people make on those they love and their community and the traditions they build that live on beyond them. Planning for such a legacy isn’t a onetime event it is a lifetime’s work that can start with simple steps.”
Jamie posted this in a blog earlier this month, entitled Legacy Planning. A few days later I was reminded that “a lifetime” isn’t always as long as we might expect or hope for and that those “simple steps” can be taken by anyone at any time. On July 20th a member of my church was involved in a terrible auto accident that ultimately took her life. Rachel Beckwith was only 9 years old, but she had already taken steps to create what has resulted in an amazing legacy.
Having learned about the non-profit organization Charity:Water through Eastlake Community Church, Rachel was inspired to “donate” her 9th birthday to those in desperate need of clean water. She created a campaign in which friends and family could contribute to the charity in lieu of birthday gifts, and set her goal at $300. When Rachel fell $80 short of meeting her goal, she simply vowed to try harder the next year.
When the family’s church community learned that Rachel wasn’t going to get the opportunity to try again for her 10th birthday, they contacted Scott Harrison, founder of Charity:Water, and asked to have her birthday campaign reopened. If you visit Rachel’s campaign page you will be amazed at the outpouring of funds given in tribute to a young girl who not only wanted to make a difference —but took steps to make it happen.
Rachel’s legacy is truly incredible. But it not only encompasses the thousands of dollars raised for Charity:Water, it serves as a poignant reminder that you are never too young or too old to take a first step and that no step is too small or insignificant toward creating a legacy in your community.
“Leaving a legacy is about the impact that people make on those they love and their community and the traditions they build that live on beyond them. Planning for such a legacy isn’t a onetime event it is a lifetime’s work that can start with simple steps.”
Jamie posted this in a blog earlier this month, entitled Legacy Planning. A few days later I was reminded that “a lifetime” isn’t always as long as we might expect or hope for and that those “simple steps” can be taken by anyone at any time. On July 20th a member of my church was involved in a terrible auto accident that ultimately took her life. Rachel Beckwith was only 9 years old, but she had already taken steps to create what has resulted in an amazing legacy.
Having learned about the non-profit organization Charity:Water through Eastlake Community Church, Rachel was inspired to “donate” her 9th birthday to those in desperate need of clean water. She created a campaign in which friends and family could contribute to the charity in lieu of birthday gifts, and set her goal at $300. When Rachel fell $80 short of meeting her goal, she simply vowed to try harder the next year.
When the family’s church community learned that Rachel wasn’t going to get the opportunity to try again for her 10th birthday, they contacted Scott Harrison, founder of Charity:Water, and asked to have her birthday campaign reopened. If you visit Rachel’s campaign page you will be amazed at the outpouring of funds given in tribute to a young girl who not only wanted to make a difference —but took steps to make it happen.
Rachel’s legacy is truly incredible. But it not only encompasses the thousands of dollars raised for Charity:Water, it serves as a poignant reminder that you are never too young or too old to take a first step and that no step is too small or insignificant toward creating a legacy in your community.
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