Underwood foundation contributes $350K to hometown

Each of the four schools - Marshall Elementary, Checotah Intermediate School, Checotah Middle School and Checotah High School - learned for Christmas that they would receive the donation, which will go towards items such as new computer labs for each school, plus playground equipment, physical fitness equipment, band uniforms, furniture, storage and instruments for their music programs.

"Late last year each of the schools created a list of their needs and I am so thrilled that the C.A.T.S. Foundation was able to fund it all," said Underwood. "It gives me great joy knowing we are helping my hometown schools to offer an even better education to the students. They deserve it."

"We are so proud of Carrie and her accomplishments and we appreciate everything she has done for our students. Every student in our school will benefit from the C.A.T.S. Foundation's generous donation," said Toni Brown, Assistant Superintendent of Checotah Public Schools.

Underwood's C.A.T.S. Foundation partnered with national non-profit organization KaBOOM!, and with the help of more than 200 local volunteers built a playground in one day at Marshall Elementary School designed by the school's students.