In
2006, Blake Mycoskie founded a shoe company called TOMS. With this he also
founded his One for One movement. This meant that for every pair of shoes that
was purchased, Mycoskie would donate one pair of shoes to a child in need. This
movement is important because soil-transmitted diseases, which can get to skin
through bare feet, is a leading cause of disease in developing countries. These
shoes protect the children from getting cuts and sores, which are painful and
can lead to infection. It also helps the children get an education because, for
the most part, children can not attend school barefoot because shoes are a
required part of their uniform. If they cannot go to school, they cannot get
the education they so desperately need. As of September 2010, TOMS has given
over 1,000,000 shoes to children in need all over the world. TOMS are given to
children on an ongoing basis through their Shoe Giving Sponsors (humanitarian
organizations throughout the world who have teamed up with the TOMS company). They
also go on TOMS Giving Trips where people throughout the TOMS company go
directly to the countries in need and size and put the shoes directly on the
children’s feet. This is the main reason that I believe everyone should own a
pair of TOMS. Not only do you get a pair of shoes, but so does a child that
truly needs a pair. In addition, TOMS come in many colors and styles for you to
chose from. There are 12 different styles for both men and women and countless
colors and patterns that you can pick. Overall, TOMS are worth purchasing not
only for the comfort and style, but also for the impact that they have on
children in need all over the world.
