By: Rebecca Offenkrantz

 

Having grown up in Florida, I love walking barefoot. However, for children in Argentina and other poverty-stricken countries, walking barefoot isn’t a choice — they do it because they don’t own shoes.

That’s where TOMS comes in.

Founded by Blake Mycoskie, in 2006, TOMS is a purpose-driven, one-for-one company. With every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS will supply a child in need with a brand new pair. With rubber soles, and canvas wrapping, their shoes range in pricing from $44 – $98. Options include regular shoes, wedges, boots, and can be made with burlap, crochet and even vegan options.

TOMS’ 5th annual ‘One Day Without Shoes’ campaign was last Monday, on April 10, 2012. The goal is to “challenge people worldwide to go a day without shoes in order to raise awareness for the millions of children who go without shoes every day.”

George Mason University has a newly formed TOMS club — and to celebrate and raise awareness, they held a Barefoot Dance Party.

“It’s a Monday night, so it’s tough,” said Kate McLamb, Vice President of the GMU TOMS Club.”We’re just hoping that at least people stop by.”

It’s a cause McLamb believes in — the Global Affairs Major bought her first pair of TOMS six years ago, when she was 16.

In the JC Bistro, party-music played and tee shirts were handed out in exchange for donations, food.

 

Elizabeth Anderson, a Civil Engineering sophomore, is head of Creative Marketing for the club. She created the above flyer to raise awareness for the cause.

“Instead of just going barefoot tomorrow,” she said. “Come out tonight.”

She was planning to start her own TOMS club when she learned there was already one on campus. So, she joined and the 19-year-old was put on the executive board of the club.

“It’s a really good way to not only give back to our community, but others communities, as well,” she said.

Students started pouring in right about the time that the 7:20 classes were letting out. Three girls all walked in together, barefoot. It hadn’t even occurred to me that people would arrive barefoot. I assumed students would wear shoes and then take them off. These girls meant business. All sophomores, in either Music or History, had heard about this event from their friend, Livvie Burnett, who happens to be the President of the GMU TOMS club.

One student who came was 19-year-old Jackie Querry, who owns six pairs of TOMS.

“They’re really comfortable,” she said. She told her family members that TOMS are what she wants for all gift-giving occasions.

Music major Hannah Donohue, 20, doesn’t own a pair of TOMS — yet. She says she’s saving up because she “wants to be able to buy a few pairs, not just one.”

At the Barefoot Dance Party, the GMU TOMS club was raffling a $25 gift card to a local boutique, a signed copy of “Start Something That Matters“ written by Blake Mycoskie, and a “Start Something That Matters” tote bag.

Unfortunately, I did not win. I did, however, donate to the cause and picked myself up a pretty blue tee shirt.

I also put a pair of TOMS on my birthday wish list.