Salt Lake Community College has a new club affiliated with TOMS Shoes, whose aim is to supply shoes to those who have none. The club will organize information about TOMS Shoes to pass on to the community and also promote their unique business.
Blake Mycoskie, who founded TOMS Shoes in 2006, was inspired for this idea while on a trip to Argentina. Mycoskie witnessed extreme poverty, bad health conditions, and children walking around without shoes in Argentina.
Mycoskie was inspired with a simple goal: to show that by taking compassionate action today, together, we can create a better tomorrow. In order to make this happen, he made a commitment to match every pair of TOMS Shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes for a child who needs them.
College clubs, inspired by a movement named TOMS Movement, are springing up at many college campuses. Along with campus clubs there are also internships with TOMS Shoes.
“In April there is a day we sponsor called ‘One Day Without Shoes.’ College students go one day without shoes to raise awareness to the problem of people without shoes. I would like to see that happen at the college,” Club Organizer Trevor Crump said.
In April 2010, over a quarter of a million people went without shoes on “One Day Without Shoes” and over 1,600 barefoot events took place around the world.
In the first year of business the company sold 10,000 pairs of shoes. The next year, Mycoskie went back to Argentina to give back to the children that had given him inspiration. As of April 2010, TOMS has given out 600,000 pairs of shoes. TOMS gives to over 20 countries. They work with charities in the field that incorporate shoes into their health, education, hygiene and community development programs.
“A lot of people won’t support us because they think were not a charitable organization because the company makes a profit. But it’s that profit that makes it possible for TOMS Shoes to do what it does,” Crump said.
TOMS Shoes are available at different stores throughout the Salt Lake Valley. T-shirts, hats and other items can be purchased at TOMS.com. These items also are matched with a pair of new shoes for a child in need.
For more information on joining the TOMS Shoes club at SLCC, contact Trevor Crump at trevorcrump@gmail.com.