Carrie Underwood Builds a Playground

Posted by Melanie Agee on 10/18/2011
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 A new playground was built in Checotah, Okla. on Friday, Oct. 14. As it is the hometown of country superstar, Carrie Underwood, she teamed up with hundreds of volunteers, including her C.A.T.S. Foundation (Checotah Animal, Town and School Foundation) and national non-profit KaBOOM! for this Marshall Elementary School project.

 
The child-designed playground was assembled in less than eight hours with help from KaBOOM! and more than 200 volunteers. Everyone gathered at 8:30 AM for a kickoff ceremony and had the project complete for a ribbon-cutting ceremony that afternoon.
 
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organizations dedicated to saving play. This playground is one of more than 150 playgrounds KaBOOM! will build for every child in America to have a safe place to play within walking distance.
 
Underwood created C.A.T.S. Foundation in 2009 to give back to her community. And it has since contributed to her hometown in many ways, including donating $117,000 in instruments to the school’s music program (with ACM Lifting Lives) and rebuilding the local animal shelter.
 
“We had the most amazing day putting together something truly special for the kids – and the community,” says Carrie. “I’m so proud that so many volunteered their time to be here today.”
 
Carried’s contributions included painting a mural, planting vegetation and assembling several playground components, including a Horse Spring Rider and a Tree House Barrier. The new 2,500 square-foot playground includes equipment for children of all ages, including a 360 degree spiral slide, a tree house climber and a tire swing.
 
“On behalf of the Marshall Elementary students and staff, I would like to thank Carrie Underwood for her generous donation to KaBOOM!, which made this playground project possible,” says Jann Ledbetter, Marshall Elementary Principal. “It is particularly special for us because this was Carrie’s elementary school. At Marshall we believe that play is of the utmost importance in the physical, mental and social development of young children. We are incredibly grateful to the C.A.T.S. Foundation, KaBOOM!, and community and parent volunteers who have come together in making our dream playground a reality. Together we have positively affected our current and future student’s lives for the better.”