To kick off the 2024-2025 school year, Rams safety John Johnson III teamed up with the official credit union of the team, UNIFY Financial Credit Union, to provide backpacks and school supplies to over 650 students at Edwin Markham Middle School in Watts.
Rams Cheerleaders and mascot Rampage joined the distribution to add to the excitement and welcome students back to school. The event included a character chat with Johnson III highlighting the transferable life skills gained through playing football, and a lunch provided by Certified #RamsHouse restaurant Carnitas El Artista. During the chat, Johnson III put an emphasis on the acronym G.A.M.E, which stands for gratitude, attitude, motivation and education.
"I still say it to myself," Johnson III said. "Hopefully it sticks with [the students] as something that can inspire them and they can pass it down to someone else, too."
Prior to the event, members of the Los Angeles community had the opportunity to drop off school supplies at UNIFY's Huntington Beach location. Members that donated supplies had the chance to win an exclusive dinner experience with Johnson III and UNIFY.
"The backpack drive at Edwin Markham Middle School is exactly why we do partnership marketing," said UNIFY's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development and Chief Experience Officer Natasha Ranchigoda. "For UNIFY, the Rams, and John Johnson III to be able to come together to impact the local Watts community is not only powerful, but it brings to life the core of our credit union values, people helping people."
Earlier this year, in partnership with GENYOUth, the Rams presented Edwin Markham Middle School with a $5,000 Hometown Grant to enhance their health and wellness initiatives. In addition, the Rams donated flag football kits for the school to utilize during their physical education periods.
Markham Middle School is supported by Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. The Partnership aims to accelerate student achievement, especially for Black and Latino students, while scaling school transformation successes across its network of schools and the nation's school districts.
For more information about the Rams' community outreach efforts, visit www.therams.com/community.
