One for One

How many pairs of shoes do you have in your closet?

If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably have a pair to go with your favorite jeans or dress, along with a range of comfy shoes, sexy shoes, working shoes, walking shoes…you name it.  I’d bet you have several pairs that you can choose from to fit your mood.

What about your kids? Do they have shoes for every occasion?

Soccer cleats, football cleats, dance shoes, tennis shoes, sandals, winter boots, slippers…the list goes on and on – but all of them are essential!

What if you could not provide shoes for your children?  Would they be able to go to school?

I was recently made aware of an amazing company called Toms Shoes.  You may have heard of them or seen their ads on TV, but the TV ads don’t really do justice to the impact that going without shoes has on kids around the world, and how Blake Mycoskie is out to change the lives of children, one pair of shoes at a time.

Toms Shoes was founded by Blake Mycoskie in 2006.  His idea for Toms Shoes came about when he was in Argentina learning how to play polo, which he himself has been quoted as calling, ”The least noble cause in the world for me to go to Argentina, which goes to show you never know what is going to happen in your life.’

While on that trip, Blake observed the polo players slipping out of their boots into shoes called Alpargatas.  The Alpargata are traditional Argentine shoes that have been worn by the Argentines for hundreds of years.  That shoe was the basis for the Toms Shoe design.

Blake had zero experience in fashion or shoes, to which he says, “I think sometimes when you don’t have experience, you don’t know the rules; you don’t know which ones you are breaking and you end up creating true innovation.”

The name Toms Shoes actually started out as Tomorrows Shoes.  It was shortened because Tomorrows Shoes was too long for the logo tags found on the side of the shoes.

The best part is – Blake was determined to donate a new pair of shoes for every pair purchased.  One for One.  How amazing is that!

For each pair of Toms Shoes that is purchased, a pair is given to a child who does not have shoes. Blake and his team focus on three criteria for gifting the shoes:

1. Does it help a child go to school? In some places, if you don’t have shoes, you can’t go to school.
2. Does it prevent a specific disease? For example, the disease Podoconiosis (Podo) is found in Ethiopia.  Podo is caused by silica that goes through the pores to destroy the lymphatic system. Not only is it incredibly debilitating, it ostracizes people from their community.  Podo is completely preventable with shoes!
3. Does it promote general hygiene? In areas where children walk on unpaved roads, there is a higher risk of scrapes, cuts and abrasions – all of which eventually lead to disease and infection.

Toms Shoes also has a focus on sustainability.  One of their collections is 65% post-consumer plastic bottles and 35% hemp, which is more sustainable than using organic cotton.

So while you are counting your blessings, making entries in your gratitude journals and hunting down that missing shoe in your kids’ room, take a moment and remember to give thanks and appreciation for the shoes you have on your feet.  There are many children who are not wearing any.

If Blake Mycoskie has his way (and I am sure he will – with your help and the help of many others) children all over the world will be able to experience the pleasure of having a new pair of shoes.

And what a great Christmas gift – for yourself or a loved one! My personal fav is the Heller TOMS.  No surprise there – with the Peace sign right on the toe! I just picked up a new pair and I can hardly wait for their arrival.  And even better than my eager anticipation of my new shoes is the smile and joy that I know the new pair of shoes will bring to a child across the globe.

One for One shoes – magnificent indeed.

To learn more about Toms Shoes, be sure to check out their website HERE.

Just one more thought…

Everyone wants to teach their kids about the joys of giving…what better way than to find something like Toms Shoes to put on their list to Santa? What are some of your creative ideas for involving your kids in the holiday spirit of charity and goodwill to their fellow man (or fellow kids!)?