TOMS are making an impact
Photo Credit: Amber Rodriguez
Alex Powell sits outside J-hall showing off her TOMS for the camera.
Written by Kimm Johnson, Staff Writer
TOMS shoes have captivated the desire of the students at Summit. They want to stay trendy, cool and comfortable while helping others in need. If everyone took the time to do something small, they could make the world a better place. Something as simple as the shoes on their feet can show how the students at Summit show they care.
However many students are unaware of the huge impact not only they themselves can make, but the impact TOMS can make as well. Unlike your typical shoe company, TOMS is an organization that has giving at the core. In 2006, Blake Mycoskie, the founder, visited Argentina and saw many people who could not get a job or an education because of a basic necessity that the majority of Americans take for granted: shoes. Blake actually graduated from Martin High School in Arlington. Even some people struggled from Podoconiosis, a 100% preventable disease in which feet become so infected from lack of shoes that they swell up and became so painful that they can’t live their lives. Blake Mycoskie founded TOMS with the “one for one” idea in mind. When someone purchases a shoe, TOMS gives a pair of shoes to a person in need.
Through commercials, online ads and word of mouth this giving spirit has spread to the Summit community. Senior Julio Chavira, says he supports TOMS not only because “they support a good cause [but] they are awesome looking.” Likewise, seniors Erika Thompson and Alexandra Powell agreed that helping other is a wonderful benefit of buying such cool shoes.
On the other hand, many students are worried about the cost. Yet a lot of students believe “they are totally worth it.” For anywhere from $45-$99, TOMS are available at www.tomsshoes.com and Tessie’s Attic in the Highlands. While some might think that this price is steep, freshman Erika Hicks says she typically spends around that much on a pair of shoes anyway. When you consider that TOMS provides you not only with a pair of stellar shoes, but a way to help prevent disease for a child, it promotes the willingness to buy a pair.
However, the Summit love doesn’t stop there. Throughout the year there are several events to show people everywhere, as well as students, that they can raise awareness in fun, simple wear. A perfect example of this would be the “Style Your Sole” event.
“You can purchase a pair of white canvas TOMS and decorate them with other people in the community,”Alex said.
Events like these create safe, bonding, circumstances that are vital to community growth and increased community service.
“Barefoot Day, a world-wide awareness day, was designed to get people talking about the underprivileged,” Erika Thompson said.
The challenge was to wear no shoes for as long as possible so we could feel like the kids who never have any.
Changing lives and inspiring the world has been and continues to be the focus of TOMS. Before you think about buying your next pair of shoes think about the people who might never get a pair of shoes. When you buy TOMS shoes you’re doing something great for everyone. They are the shoes of tomorrow impacting people today.
Email This Story
Print This Story
October 7th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Thought it would be worth noting that Blake Mycoskie (founder of TOMS Shoes) is from Arlington.
[Reply]