TOMS Shoes

TOMS shoes is a rapidly growing shoe company with a humanitarian ethic. For every pair of shoes that TOMS shoes sells, they also give a pair of shoes to a needy child. This is their one for one promise. TOMS is a company started by Blake Mycoskie in 2006. While travelling to Argentina, he noticed that many of the children did not have shoes to protect their feet. This being true across the globe, and walking being the primary mode of transportation in under-developed nations, Blake decided to start a company which would help answer this problem. He began his business and later that year was able to return to Argentina with a group of friends, family, and staff to distribute 10,000 pairs of shoes! They have already given away 150,000 pairs of shoes, and are hoping to exceed 300,000 pairs given away in 2009!

Giving shoes is important as they are unavailable to most children in developing countries. Not only do they protect the feet of these children from painful cuts and other injuries, they also allow them to walk further distances than they might be able to barefoot. Shoes are also important as cuts can get easily infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which can enter the body through open sores, especially those on the feet. Also, many schools require shoes as part of their mandatory uniform. Children who cannot afford shoes are often excluded from schooling. Providing shoes to these children is not only good for their physical health, but can be beneficial to their educational development.

Getting involved with TOMS shoes is easy. The simplest way to help is to buy a pair of their shoes. These shoes are simple, comfortable, and gaining popularity rapidly. Not only do you benefit from fun and fashionable footwear, but a needy child also will benefit in ways that we tend to overlook. You can also get involved by joining or forming a TOMS campus club, hosting a TOMS shoe marker party, raising funds locally to be donated to the charity, or even interning with the company. You can even follow their example by modifying your business model in ways which help and support charities. Perhaps this story will just inspire you to volunteer in the community in which you work and live. Giving back is easy and rewarding, a message which TOMS wishes to pass on to anyone who will listen.

PLEASE visit TOMS website for more information on the company, how to get involved, and to check out or order one of their many styles of shoe: http://www.tomsshoes.com/