TOMS Shoes – Paying it Forward

TOMS Shoes – Paying it Forward by Lynn Hasselberger

I’ve been meaning to write about TOMS Shoes and Chief Shoe Giver Blake Mycoskie for a long, long time. And then CBS beat me to it with a video, no less. Watch this (it’s very short):

Did you get chills like I did? After watching it, I could not stand by without ordering a pair for myself–the eco-friendly vegan classic… although the vegan wrap boots looked awfully cool. How amazing that some child out there in the world– who currently has no shoes at all–will receive a pair of brand new TOMS Shoes because of me (and, of course, TOMS). I wish I could be there to witness that moment.

Fact : children need shoes. 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.

How TOMS Shoes Came to Be. Blake Mycoskie founded TOMS on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what they’re all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms their customers into benefactors, which allows them to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

There are more ways to support TOMS Shoes. Help grow the One for One movement by signing up for One Day Without Shoes (April 8th). With your help, more people will be aware of the fact that many children grow up barefoot. Show even more support by following TOMS on twitter and becoming a facebook fan.

Cheers to TOMS Shoes and Blake Mycoskie!!

Lynn

Lynn Hasselberger considers herself an activist for the planet and people with a focus on water issues. She’s the founder of myEarth360.com and you can find her on twitter & facebook. When she’s not tweeting, she works hard to find balance and live in the present moment with her husband, son and two feisty cats in the Chicago ‘burbs.