Ross to aid homeless youth -

Hopes to donate meals, clothing

After 13 years as a Girl Scout, Anarrah Ross won the group’s highest honor, the Gold Award, by dedicating her time to collecting toys to stock the playrooms at local children’s hospitals.

She continues her dedication to service at UNC while running for Homecoming queen this semester.

“I feel that at UNC, the opportunities are limitless,” she said.

“And if they don’t have something, they will provide you with the tools to create it.”

Ross, a senior sociology major from Concord, hopes to win Homecoming queen to support Tees for Teens, a program catering to local centers by providing them with food, clothing and greater interaction with the community.

“It’s not about the title or being in the public eye,” she said.

The project comprises three components: a partnership with Outback Steakhouse to provide meals to local homeless centers, a T-shirt drive to gather clothing for homeless children and monetary donations from local businesses to match every 100 T-shirts donated.

“I feel like college students can give away T-shirts and not feel the effects, but it would still be very impactful for the children,” she said.

She also plans on providing backpacks with toiletries and other necessities to the children.

Ross aims to have greater interaction with the campus and surrounding communities.

“Usually when Homecoming queens or kings are elected, they are never heard from again,” she said. “I want to change that.”

Ross has spent three years on the morale committee of UNC Dance Marathon, which raises funds for the N.C. Children’s Hospital.

She said it’s her favorite experience at UNC.

She is also a UNC Public Service Scholar, a member of the minority student recruitment committee and is in charge of community service for Carolina Fever.

She started a club called Fever Fans and Helping Hands this semester to commemorate the 100th season of UNC basketball.

“We are committed to completing 100 acts of service throughout the year, and each month we donate $100 to local nonprofits,” she said.

Ross added that even if she lost, she would continue to work at a smaller scale with the management at Outback Steakhouse, who have been supportive of her work.

“I really want this and I’m really excited about it. I really want to make my University proud.”