Traffic Exchange

May 25, 2013

Carrie Underwood donates $1 million to help Oklahoma tornado victims

Carrie Underwood knows the terror of those violent columns of air.

The country singer's heart went to all those affected by a brutal tornado that swept through her native state of Oklahoma earlier this week.

When she saw how the people were suffering Carrie immediately wrote a check to the American Red Cross for a whopping $1 million.

Carrie - who ironically released a hit album in 2012 called Blown Away - pledged the generous sum to provide help for people affected by the devastating wind storm.

'I have watched the devastation in my home state of Oklahoma over the past several days with great sadness,' Carrie said in a statement.

'With the help of my fans who attended my concerts over the past year, we can offer the Red Cross a little extra help in comforting those affected by the recent tornadoes.'

The 30-year-old American Idol winner grew up on a farm in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and was an active member of her local community growing up.

Carrie's donation was funded through concert proceeds from her Blown Away tour, which wrapped Thursday night in Abbottsford, British Columbia.

Neal Litvack, chief development officer for the Red Cross, praised Carrie's involvement.

'The impact of the tornadoes in Oklahoma and the Midwest was devastating and the road to recovery will be long for many families,' he said.

'Through the generosity of Carrie, the American Red Cross can quickly respond with shelter, food and comfort now and with lasting help as they move toward recovery.'

The cause has also been supported by US celebrities such as actor David Spade, who donated $200,000 to the hurricane relief fund.

Oklahoma City Thunder basketball player Kevin Durant also gave $1 million.

Meanwhile the six-time Grammy winner is counting her lucky stars - she's been happily wed to Canadian ice hockey player Mike Fisher since 2010.