Carrie Underwood & ACM Lifting Lives Partner to Support Flood Relief in Middle Tennessee With the New ACM Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund

ENCINO, Calif., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Carrie Underwood and ACM Lifting Lives have committed seed funding to create the new ACM Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund to support relief efforts for families devastated by the recent floods in Middle Tennessee.  The Fund takes its name from Underwood's co-penned hit song "Temporary Home," in acknowledgement of the immediate needs surrounding those impacted by the floods.

"ACM Lifting Lives received funds from the taping of the Brooks & Dunn special seven days ago, and as a nimble organization, we are eager to immediately give back to the communities in Middle Tennessee that were hit hardest," said Erin Spahn, Director of ACM Lifting Lives.  "In addition, we approached Carrie about how she wanted to use the grants she would receive as our 2009 Entertainer of the Year, and she leapt at the chance to help people in need of shelter. Our goals fit perfectly, and the Temporary Home Fund was created."  

"Last year, I partnered with ACM Lifting Lives to help people in my hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma. Now I'm happy that we can help people in my current home of Nashville," said Carrie Underwood.

A text-to-donate campaign in partnership with The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee officially launches today and will be highlighted during this weekend's ACM PRESENTS: BROOKS & DUNN – THE LAST RODEO all-star concert tribute airing Sunday, May 23rd at 8PM on the CBS Television Network. Ticket proceeds from that taping in Las Vegas went to ACM Lifting Lives, which in turn quickly earmarked funding for those affected by the recent floods in Middle Tennessee.  This is the second disbursement from that event's fundraising efforts.

Underwood's taped PSA call-to-action will be inserted into ACM PRESENTS: BROOKS & DUNN – THE LAST RODEO and will encourage viewers to text ACM to 501501 to make a one-time $10 donation to the new ACM Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund.  These donations will benefit The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and are earmarked specifically for nonprofits serving those displaced from their homes due to floods.

The ACM Lifting Lives Temporary Home will be administered in part by MusiCares and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, to help ensure that people in need of temporary housing will have the support of nonprofits able to help.

Donations can be made NOW by texting ACM to 501501 through August 2010.  Text donations are confirmed by replying with YES, and can be made up to three times.  Donations can also be made online at www.ACMliftinglives.org and at www.CBS.com/give.  For information on the funding application process, visit www.cfmt.org.

About the ACM Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund Text-to-Donate Campaign

Text ACM to 501501 to donate $10 to the ACM Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. A one-time $10 donation is charged to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donate up to three times. Message & data rates may apply. Donations collected by the Mobile Giving Foundation. Proceeds benefit The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. For info call 866-810-1203 or go to hmgf.org/t. Text STOP to 501501 to cancel; HELP to 501501 for help.

About ACM Lifting Lives

ACM Lifting Lives™ is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.  Each year, ACM Lifting Lives provides grants to music therapy and music education programs.  Other giving includes serving members of the country music community who face unexpected medical or financial hardship through the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund and partnering with artists to improve lives through music. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

About ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo

ACM PRESENTS: BROOKS & DUNN – THE LAST RODEO all-star concert tribute television special was produced by dick clark productions, and taped at MGM Grand Garden Arena in April. Orly Adelson, R.A. Clark, Bob Romeo and Clarence Spalding are executive producers.  Barry Adelman is producer and Bob Bardo is executive in charge of production.  Ticket proceeds from the live event benefited ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music. Proceeds from the evening's ticket sales will go to those affected by the recent floods in Middle Tennessee. For more information, please visit www.ACMliftinglives.org.

SOURCE Academy of Country Music