Los Angeles, CA — Consistent attendance is the key to success for many students.

The Los Angeles Rams and Pacsun are donating washer and dryer sets to local schools in historically under-resourced communities to combat chronic absenteeism.Through their recently launched “Loads of Love” program supported by Thinkwatts Foundation, 20 schools from Compton Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District will receive a set, ensuring students have clean clothes.

The U.S. Department of Education describes chronic absenteeism, missing at least 15 days of school in a year, as a widespread educational crisis. Research suggests students in underserved communities are chronically absent due to varied challenges including poor health, limited transportation, lack of safety and limited access to clean clothes.

“We are incredibly proud of our partnership with the Los Angeles Rams and Thinkwatts Foundation to address the critical issue of chronic absenteeism in under-resourced schools. By providing washer and dryer sets and clothing donations through our community programs, we aim to remove barriers to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. We are committed to making a tangible difference in their daily lives, and this initiative reflects Pacsun’s ongoing commitment to supporting and uplifting the communities we serve,” said Brie Olson, CEO of Pacsun.

To announce and celebrate the donations, the Rams and Pacsun joined Thinkwatts Foundation and the Los Angeles Unified School District on Friday, May 24 to host a free Pacsun Pop-Up Shopping Experience and washer and dryer ribbon cutting for students from 112th STEAM Academy in Watts. The students also enjoyed a youth football clinic and received autographed cards from Rams running back Kyren Williams who joined the special day.

“We’re just getting started with changing lives! This is a pure example of the power of what I like to call the See-Suite, when corporate meets community,” said Thinkwatts Foundation Founder Brandon “Stix” Salaam-Bailey. “Amazing things happen when there is an aligned focus of impact between the two. The Thinkwatts Foundation and Rams tag team will continue to demonstrate excellence in positively impacting students, individuals, and communities in need by providing resources and opportunities needed to thrive academically and personally. Adding Pacsun is the cherry on top!”

Leading up to the 2023 season, the Rams and Pacsun renewed their partnership centered around incentivizing attendance at schools supported by Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a non-profit managing 20 of LA Unified’s highest-need schools in Watts, South LA and Boyle Heights. Last year, the Rams and Pacsun launched their “Geared for Greatness” initiative aiming to combat chronic absenteeism by providing new and fashionable clothing to get students excited about being present to learn. Over the past four years, Pacsun and the Rams have donated more than $3 million in product to provide new, on-trend clothing to more than 30,000 students throughout LA County.