TOMS Shoes debuts: helps children in need

TOMS Shoes is not just a shoe company; it is a movement.

Psychology major Amy Whitehouse and art major Brandie Covington get creative at Style Your Sole. Photo by Sarah Baker.

TOMS Shoes began in May 2006 and has given over 600,000 pairs of shoes to children in need, through the purchases of caring customers, as of April 2010.

With every pair of TOMS Shoes purchased another pair of shoes is given to a child in need.

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot, which leaves them at risk to soil-transmitted diseases, cuts, sores and many times from attending school. Many people have been inspired and joined this movement, including students at the University.

The TOMS Shoes Campus Club is hosting events and raising awareness for kids in need. Members of the club and other students went barefoot on April 8 to participate in the “One Day Without Shoes” event in an effort to raise awareness and make an impact on the surrounding community.

Left: Deanna Llorente paints her shoes at Style Your Sole that took place on Harvey Deck by the lake. Photo by Sarah Baker.

Junior Matthew Holcomb noted that the temperature hurt his feet as he joined fellow students on the “One Day Without Shoes One-Mile Walk” hosted by the TOMS Shoes Club and the Student Government Association.

“Some people think it is stupid, but sometimes you have to do something drastic,” Liz Rutledge, a freshman psychology major, said when asked about how other students reacted to her being barefoot.

Over 25 million people around the world participated in 1,600 “One Day Without Shoes” events.

Another event occurred on April 13, as the TOMS Shoe Club hosted a “Style Your Sole” event. University students were able to order or bring their own Toms to decorate with the club suppling paint, stencils and other art supplies.

Afterwards students headed to the University Center Auditorium for the TOMS documentary screening party, an award-winning 35–minute DVD documentary that shares the TOMS Shoes story and first “Shoe Drop” event to Argentina to show students what TOMS Shoes is all about.

For more information visit www.toms.com.