When Nas learned this week that a Washington, D.C. family had lost their home in a fire, the rapper stepped up to raise funds for Stanley Young, an unemployed construction worker and father of seven.

As of Friday, the Crowdtilt fundraising page has collected over $35,000 in pledges for Young, whose wife passed away last year. The family is currently staying in a hotel, but they have until Aug. 13 to relocate, with few options available to them.

The goal, originally $20,000, is now to raise $50,000 for the family. Contributions can be made here. Kudos to Nas for taking the lead and offering a helping hand.

UPDATED (08.09.13, 6 p.m. EST): Nas reached his goal of $50,000 late Friday afternoon. The rapper tweeted: “We just saved the Young family!! 1630 contributors & 48 hours later, WE as a community, raised over $50k! THANK YOU ALL! #HelpStanleyYoung.” The MC said the fundraising campaign will remain active until its original Aug. 18 cutoff.

The family's story can be seen below via the Washington ABC affiliate: