Toms - One For One
Mycoskie with children
Blake Mycoskie, in 2006, went to Argentina and befriended children there. Most of these children, he found, did not have shoes to protect their feet. Because these children are barefoot, there are risks involved - diseases from contaminated soil, parasites in soil, amputation and even death. These children walk for miles to get food, water, or medical help, and having shoes enables them to travel distances not possible barefoot. Shoes also allow these children to attend school, for some schools require shoes as part of their uniform.
Mycoskie wanted to help these children, so he started a company called TOMS that give a pair of shoes to these children with every pair of shoes that is purchased. With these trendy shoes with a "wrap-a-round" style, Mycoskie returned to Argentina with 10,000 pairs of shoes to give to these children made possible by TOMS customers.
Since the beginning of TOMS, this company has given over 140,000 pairs of shoes, and plans to give 300,000 pairs of them by the end of 2009. Internships are offered and chances to be a campus representative are offered, as well as the ability to join the TOMS Vagabond tour to help spread the word about the One For One movement.
TOMS is an organization that gives children a change. A change in health, in confidence, and a change in lifestyle.
