Carrie Underwood is by far one of the biggest acts in Country music, and one of the most giving.  Carrie’s fast rise to fame has not stopped her charity work by any means.  She has been on a roll since the beginning of her career.  So far in 2009 she has already started her own foundation, Checotah Animal, Town & School Foundation (C.A.T.S.) The C.A.T.S Foundation will give back to Carrie’s hometown of Checotah.  The first big move the organization made was to team up with the Academy of Country Music’s charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives.  Together they gave $117,000 in new instruments, to Checotah High School.

The development of a foundation has not slowed down Carrie’s efforts to  support other organizations.  She still works as close as ever with the Humane Society of the United States.  Carrie’s support for HSUS includes donations and public service announcements.  She even had fans bring in items to donate to her the Humane Society of her hometown at her Fan Club Party during CMA Fest Week!  In 2009 she rereleased Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” with proceeds from the sale of the single benefiting the HSUS.  American Idol was the launching pad for Carrie’s career; however, she has helped them give back for the past 3 years.  In 2007 she went to Africa to help the children and provide food for families.  That same year she recorded the song “I’ll Stand By You” with all proceeds going to the Idol Gives Back Foundation.  Two years later Carrie made the trip back to Africa to give children in the area “bed nets,” to help prevent the spread of malaria through mosquitos.  Africa is not the only place that Carrie has visited overseas; she has also done a USO Tour during the Christmas holiday season. Carrie performed a free show for troops in Fort Campbell, KY in 2009.

One organization that is near and dear to Carrie’s heart, as well as many other country music fans, is the Grand Ole Opry.  It’s a well known fact that shortly after winning Idol, she was performing on the Opry’s historic stage.  Her dedication to the country music institution awarded her the honor of becoming a member in 2008.  She has given back to the Opry as well!  She has signed items for numerous auctions.  In 2009 she decorated & donated a guitar for the Guitars for the Stars Action with proceeds benefiting the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund. Carrie also supports the Opry in their work with Susan G. Komen  & Women Rock for the Cure to fight against Cancer. In October of 2009 she is turning the historic red Opry barn to pink in honor of cancer awareness month. Her dedication to the Grand Ole Opry and charity are to be commended!

The fight against childhood cancer is another battle that Underwood supports the fight against. She has made multiple visits to St. Jude’s. Carrie has signed various items to be auctioned with proceeds benefiting the hospital from pictures all the way to boots! After the 2008 CMA Fest she donated the shirt that she had worn to perform at LP Field to Keith Urban’s “You Look Good in my Shirt” auction. The fight for adults to overcome cancer is also supported by Carrie.  She has participated in the City of Hope’s softball game for the past three years.  She donated her time to play in the game, meet with fans, and autograph multiple items to benefit the foundation.  As mentioned above she also supports the fight against breast cancer.

We have no doubt that this ACM EOTY will one day walk on stage to accept Humanitarian of the Year Award.  Kudos to Carrie Underwood for giving back & reminding us all of the reason we love country music so much!

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For more information about Carrie Underwood check out her official web-site, here.

Carrie also has several items up for bid on Ebay.  The money generated from these items will support several different charities.  http://tinyurl.com/cunderwoodebay

Would you like to contact this artist & thank them for the efforts they’ve made to make a difference in the lives of others?  Make sure you tell them that Country Music Cares sent you!  They accept fan mail at the following address:

Carrie Underwood

Grand Ole Opry

2804 Opryland Drive

Nashville, TN 37214

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I’ll Stand By You