Everyone who I speak about TOMS shoes asks how I first found out about the company. I have no idea. I honestly cannot remember where I first heard about TOMS but I know I wanted to get involved right away. TOMS employees a "one for one" model of giving. For every pair of shoes you buy from them (and I promise you, these are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned), they give a pair to a child in need. They have given shoes to children all over the globe, including Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa, and the United States. TOMS started giving away shoes in May 2006 and, as of December 2009, they have given over 400,000 pairs of shoes to children in need.
A few facts about children and shoes worldwide (from the TOMS site):
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
* A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
* Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
* Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
In the Fall of 2008, I was lucky enough to be the TOMS Campus Rep at UNF. My role was to plan and execute two on campus events to promote TOMS. I was also lucky enough to be a part of the "Shoe Drop" (the trips on which the shoes are given away) in Orlando. It was an amazing experience and I would highly recommend one of the TOMS Shoe Drops to anyone (you can apply to volunteer on their website).
All of this brings me to April 8th. TOMS is holding their 3rd annual "One Day Without Shoes" next Thursday. Unfortunately I will not be able to participate (I will be in meetings at the White House, State Department, etc and my professor would freak) but I wanted to use my first blog post to spread the word.
Please consider going barefoot and supporting this movement. Check out
http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/ or http://www.toms.com/ for more information!
Edited to add this video by my #1 girlcrush, Kristen Bell:
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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