TOMS Shoes – Walking by example

One of the simplest ways of giving back if you can’t physically volunteer your time is by occasionally donating money, clothing, and essential household items.

Better yet, you can donate everyday by shopping with companies and organizations that make an effort to donate a portion of their sales, goods, and resources to communities and individuals who need them the most.

Matador Pulse editor Julie Schwietert recently tipped me off on a piece she’d read in Delta Sky Magazine about a certain philanthropic company, TOMS and their shoes.

Intrigued, I had to find out more about their cause.

Founded in May 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, TOMS aims to provide shoes to needy children through the purchases of their shoes. To date, they’ve donated 10,000 and 50,000 pairs of shoes in Argentina and South Africa respectively.

For every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, a pair of shoes is given to a child in what they term their “One for One Movement”.

These fun, colorful shoes redefine comfortably casual. They slip on easily, come with soft leather soles and textured rubber bottoms, and are available in a myriad of patterns, textures, designs, and colors.

With creative names like Democratic Vote TOMS and Split Decision Vote TOMS, you’re sure to find at least a pair you’ll like.

They also manufacture a “Vegan Friendly” TOMS – which I assume passes on leather soles.

TOMS expands beyond shoes, selling fitted hats, t-shirts, bags, and its new fashion-forward wrap boot – an elastic wrap that extends from the ankle up to the knee with Velcro closure.

By supporting TOMS’ One for One movement, you can contribute to bringing one pair of shoes to a child in need – one of 200,000 pairs of shoes planned for donation this year.

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