Blake Mycoskie may have lost the Amazing Race (Season two) by a hair, but the work he's been doing for children worldwide definitely qualifies him as a winner.
Mycoskie is founder of TOMS: Shoes for Tomorrow, a company dedicated to providing shoes to children in need. The concept is simple, for every pair of TOMS shoes sold; Mycoskie gives a pair to a child on the purchaser's behalf. According to his company Web site, Mycoskie formed the idea for TOMS during a trip to Argentina when he became concerned with the poverty and health issues in the country, as well as the lack of proper footwear for Argentinean children. These children often experience painful sores and blisters and have contracted diseases as a result of not having shoes to wear. Most of the children who benefit from the donations are receiving the first pair of shoes they have ever owned.
Since it was founded in 2006, TOMS shoes has delivered 60,000 pairs of shoes to needy children in both Argentina and South Africa, and this year it will be giving away 100,000 pairs of shoes to children in Ethiopia as well as in the United States.
TOMS Style Your Sole events are currently being held at 45 universities across the country, where after each purchase, buyers have an opportunity to design and decorate the white, canvas shoes with paint. College students and interns for TOMS are coordinating the events.
Trendy, pre-designed shoes from the TOMS line are also available for purchase for those less confident in their artistic skills. In addition, students are able to use a code on the TOMS Web site to receive free shipping on merchandise for up to two weeks following an event at their campus.
To find a TOMS store near you, or to buy online, log onto www.tomsshoes.com.
Source: BecauseAction.com
