Carrie Underwood Offers Hometown a Helping Hand

Carrie Underwood's hometown of Checotah, Okla., is getting a boost from the singer herself with the formation of C.A.T.S. -- the Checotah Animal, Town and School Foundation.

The goal of the foundation is to help with general causes, needs and services in the area of Checotah which will directly impact the community. Checotah has a population of around 3,500.

"My hometown is extremely supportive of me and I feel blessed to be able to create something as a way of giving back; to say thank you," says the country idol.

Private resources will fund the assistance, and information on the C.A.T.S. Foundation's first donation to the Checotah community are expected to be announced soon.

Checotah, Oklahoma, is also the hometown of Carrie's fellow Grand Ole Opry member, Mel McDaniel.