When you think TOMS, the first thing that comes to your mind might be the shoe brand, the style, or giving to others.
“I think it’s a great organization,” freshman Randi Bussell said. “Every time I buy a pair, it makes me think of a little child somewhere with a smile on his face as someone is handing him a brand new pair of TOMS. It even puts a smile on my face, and I just love the style,”
According to the TOMS website, it all started with one person who just wanted to help children in need after a visit to Argentina. Blake Mycoskie, an entrepreneur from Arlington, Texas, as well as the CEO and founder of TOMS, visited Argentina with his sister and found that the children did not have. He desperately wanted to help, so he created the company TOMS Shoes, a company that would give a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased.
But why shoes? TOMS sates that some of the leading causes of disease in developing countries are soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Aside from health issues, some children can’t attend school because a required part of the uniform is a pair of shoes.
“I love how they’re so different from all the other shoes– I just love the style a lot,” sophomore Bailey Hollier said.
TOMS come in many different, colors, sizes and styles, from slip-ons to high-top lace ups.
“I like how most of them are sort of simple,” Junior Kristen Florian said. “The ones I like, the slip ons, don’t have all those complicated laces and stuff. If you’re in a rush, all you have to do is slip them on and you’re ready. They’re really stylish too.”
Prices and styles range from $29 for toddlers slip-ons to $99 for mens boots, so for some people that may be the only issue.
“I love the idea and would love to support the cause and the charity, but frankly I don’t want to spend that much on a pair of shoes,” freshman Selena Ramirez said.
But shoes aren’t the only thing for sale. They also have shirts, sweaters and sunglasses. With the purchase of a shirt or sweater, TOMS will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. And with the purchase of a pair of sunglasses, TOMS will help less fortunate children improve their eyesight.
“I have maybe 20 pairs, I just love them so much,” sophomore Brianna Vadja said. “I love all the different kinds they have, as if there’s one to fit how I’m feeling that day. I also have 2 pairs of their sunglasses, and about 3 shirts. I don’t think I could ever have enough of TOMS.”
