TOMS.

TOMS Shoes is a company founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie. He was inspired to start the company after traveling in Argentina and seeing children walking around with no shoes. Mycoskie decided to reinvent the alpargata, the traditional Argentine shoe, for the U.S. market From there he had a vision: to show how together, we can create a better tomorrow by taking compassionate action today.

To complete this mission, Blake made a commitment to match every pair of TOMS purchased with a new pair given to a child in need. One for One. So simple but so effective.

Fast forward and TOMS now gives in 20 countries and works with charitable partners in the field who incorporate shoes into their health, education, hygiene, and community development programs. TOMS has given over one million shoes to children in need and last year introduced its new eye wear.

TOMS’ giving partners are made up of NGOs, charities, and non-profits already established and working in the countries in which TOMS gives. Their expertise guides TOMS to give new shoes responsibly, making sure there aren’t adverse socioeconomic effects, and to ensure that sustainable giving is possible.

The TOMS movement was started by young people and that continues to be the case. This is an interesting company where they themselves are not a non-profit but they work with already established non-profits and partner with the non-profit Friends of TOMS.

The public relations for this company comes in the product, the shoes speak for themselves. It has become a cultural phenomenon. We live in a culture that wants to help people but also wants to benefit in return. Buying a pair of shoes and at the same time giving a pair to a child in need seems like the perfect solution.

Across the country there are campus clubs and internships to keep young people involved. College students were also the driving force behind the movement One Day Without Shoes. There is also an extremely active community on their blog, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and a Friends of TOMS Causes page.