Jennifer Nettles, Carrie Underwood And George Jones Give Back

>>>Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles recently completed her third trip to Guatemala on behalf of the Shalom Foundation’s mission in the region. “Shalom likens their service initiatives to a four-legged table: Education, nutrition, homes, and health care,” says Nettles, who first visited Guatemala as a Spanish and anthropology major in college. That initial visit, she says, “was my first time being in direct contact with that degree of poverty on a massive level. I connected on an emotional and spiritual level.” While in Guatemala Nettles visited the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center in Guatemala City, whose construction was made possible thanks to monies collected via Sugarland’s four-year-old practice of donating one dollar per ticket to Shalom. The Moore Center is named after the organization’s Chairman/Founder, Steve Moore who also currently serves as CEO of the Country Music Association.The Shalom Foundation is a 501(c)(3) humanitarian aid organization dedicated to providing assistance to children and their families living in extreme poverty.

Carole Underwood (Mom)- who taught in the Checotah school system- and Carrie Underwood. Photo: Matt Sperling

>>>Carrie Underwood worked alongside hundreds of volunteers on Friday Oct. 14 at Marshall Elementary School in her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma. Together, Underwood’s C.A.T.S. Foundation (Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation) and national non-profit KaBOOM! assembled a children’s playground in less than eight hours. Underwood started C.A.T.S. in 2009 as a means to support her home town. The organization has donated money to buy instruments for the school’s music program, and also to help rebuild the local animal shelter. “We had the most amazing day putting together something truly special for the kids – and the community,” said Underwood.  “I’m so proud that so many volunteered their time to be here today.”

>>>George Jones was honored at a gala tribute Oct. 3 hosted by Louisiana personalities Hollywood Hal & Rhinestone Al. Hal & Al, formed by Scott Innes (radio host and voice of Scooby Doo and Shaggy) and Jim Hogg (longtime singer-songwriter,) organized the event and invited many of their fellow VIP guests to attend. The event raised over $90,000 for The Miracle League of Cypress Mounds, a non-profit organization that helps children with mental and physical disabilities achieve their dreams and play baseball on a specially designed field. One of the highlights of the evening came when Mike Shepherd, Chairman of The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, inducted Jones into The Hall of Fame. Mayor of Baton Rouge, Kip Holden, followed up by giving Jones a key to their city and a special signed document in his honor from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. The audience included notables such as Marty Raybon (former lead singer of Shenandoah,) Richie McDonald (former lead singer of Lonestar,) Marty Roe (lead singer for Diamond Rio,) Mike Reno (lead singer for Loverboy,) and Jimi Johnson (former lead singer of Survivor.) Mr. Jones also received a special video message from Ronnie Dunn.