Kayla Brackin was only 19 when she lost her life in a tragic vehicle accident in September 2009. But her selfless spirit lives on in an organization that has donated thousands of dollars to mission projects around the world.

Just two months after the accident, which also took the life of 18-year-old Zac Ellison, the Kayla Brackin Foundation was formed. From November to February, the community gave $9,000 to the foundation, which in turn donated the money to Samaritan’s Purse to purchase 2,250 Bibles for children in India and around the world.

Samaritan’s Purse is a mission organization that was close to Kayla’s heart. Since she was 12, Kayla had packed shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.

“It’s incredible how God brought triumph out of tragedy,” said Wayne Hughes, pastor of The Church at Bethel in Thorsby, Kayla’s home church. “She was committed to the ministry of the Lord, so it’s fitting that her legacy would be ministering to children.”

Hughes and his son, Trent, were instrumental in starting the foundation. Its first project was to donate $1,000 to orphans in India. The need became evident when church members visited the country in early 2009.

In October, a mission team will go to Ecuador to build a school for girls. They hope to purchase building materials with money donated in Kayla’s memory.

Kayla’s mother, Cindy Brackin, said the foundation’s purpose is not to glorify Kayla but to glorify God through her memory.

She thanked everyone for the outpouring of support that came in such a short amount of time.

“The money was given in memory of Kayla to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ,” she said. “Most of the people knew Kayla, and they knew what she stood for. She touched a lot of lives in her 19 years.”

People may request to receive the foundation’s newsletter or make a donation by contacting 857-2424, 755-7420 or thechurchatbethel.org.

“We want everyone to give so we can give to these children,” Cindy Brackin said.