Thursday, April 1, 2010

TOMS Shoes


Ever since I developed arthritis in my left hip my feet have been fairly boring. Not that I was a four-inch heel kind of gal (remember? Klutz, Party of 1), but I used to wear little, cute, kind of useless shoes. I had a gazillion pairs of shoes in my closet. Now I require support and comfort. Boring.

So when a friend posted on Facebook that there was this company that gave a pair of shoes to a child in need with every purchase of their shoes, I perked up a little, but not a lot. I needed to check out the shoes first to see if they would meet my comfort needs. When I went to the website I saw that most of the shoes were flats, and looked a lot like espadrilles. I decided that even if I couldn't wear them all day, they were cute enough to order a pair.


They came yesterday and I wore them all day today. I. love. them! They're cute & comfortable, and I get a warm & fuzzy feeling knowing that I helped a child with my purchase. So, this is my little advertisement for them. No, I'm not getting paid (although if someone wants to send me a free pair of shoes, I wear U.S. women's size 6.5). Here's a blurb from their website:

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Why shoes?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.

19 comments:

  1. So? No link to the website? they look like something I would wear.

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  2. What a wonderful concept. Do they sell men's shoes too?

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  3. These days, I go for comfort, too. My faves are a pair of camel colored suede mules, that look like they've been through a war.

    I'll have to say, these look pretty comfy and for a good cause, as well!

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  4. I will be looking into that also. I LOVE those shoes. They remind me of one of my favorite pairs made by Earth Shoes. Mine finally wore out and I want some similar and these look very similar. Thanks for sharing the info!

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  5. All my students wear these shoes...Rich told me about them and I thought they were really cute. Not sure I want to go around with the same shoes that my students wear, but hey I am a shoe hound, that shouldn't stop me. I'm sold!!

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  6. I like the idea too. Could you please buy two pairs and send the free shoes this way. My 18 year old wears size 15 and my 13 year old wears a size 14. Any help would be gladly appreciated. :)

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  7. I remember seeing blips about them on the news, but didn't know they do the one for one thing. How wonderful! And, those are CUTE shoes on your little feet!

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  8. I'm gonna check that out! Cute & comfy, plus helping someone else out? Can't beat that!

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  9. I'm definitely info shoe comfort over shoe looks. These TOMS ones look interesting.

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  10. This really seems a very worthwhile company.
    I have heard of them and would like to support them.
    ps my feet are a disaster.
    Will put book in mail later today!

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  11. I've always heard that people who never wear shoes develop feet that are tougher than shoes ever get and have better posture besides. I wonder if the shoes are necessary. (I don't know.)

    But none of that matters because the shoes are CUTE! Although anything in a 6.5 is cute...

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  12. What a wonderful company! Like you, I'm doomed to a life of boring shoes. I try to make up for it by being fascinating in other ways. Jury's out on that one ;-)

    Thank you for pointing me in the direction of these marvelous shoes, with a marvelous mission.

    Happy Easter, Bug!

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  13. I am a big fan of Tom's shoes!

    Love to you
    Kelly
    http://www.ivebecomemymother.com

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  14. Are they only available online? I'm not one to buy shoes online unless I've already tried them.

    I also tend to get stuck in a rut once I know a shoe fits and is comfortable (evidenced by my 14-year-and-counting fidelity to Rebok Princesses).

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  15. I love my TOMS shoes. I where them everywhere. I even bought myself a pair of black ones so, on days when I don't have to meet with clients I can cheat and wear them around the office.

    My daughter Alex has the pink peace sign ons.

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  16. My daughter introduced these to me. She has several pairs and we gave a pair for a Christmas gift to her cousin. So glad you posted about TOMS.

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  17. What a great idea! I am into boring shoes these days too, but those don't look boring at all. They're cute and they look comfortable. I wonder if they ship to Canada?

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  18. Soil transmitted diseases? Like I didn't have enough to worry about.

    Sweet kicks, by the way.

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