1. 104
montage | SUMMER 2012
TOMS one-for-oneBy Ashley Breeding
“Giving is what fuels us. Giving is our future.” —Blake Mycoskie
On a 2006 excursion to Argentina, American traveler Blake
Mycoskie discovered that many of the children there had no shoes
to protect their feet, which can lead not only to soil-transmitted
diseases, but impede education since most schools require shoes
as a part of the uniform, and those who don’t have them aren’t
permitted to attend. He felt compelled to help, and soon after, he
founded TOMS (toms.com), a philanthropic footwear company
that matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair donated
to a child in need. Mycoskie paid another visit to his small friends
in Argentina later that same year—this time with 10,000 pairs of
shoes in tow.
“Since [then], I’ve realized this One for One model could do
more than give shoes; it could and should address other needs
around the world,” Mycoskie says. Subsequently, the company
extended its charitable efforts to those suffering from the loss
of sight. “Sight is a fundamental need. The loss of sight has a
dramatic impact on a person’s life and on his or her family and
community,” he continues. The first to benefit will be the people
of Nepal, Tibet and Cambodia. Through the latest initiative in
collaboration with the Seva Foundation, a Northern California-
based nonprofit committed to aiding impoverished communities
around the globe, TOMS matches proceeds from its new sunglasses
to provide medical treatment, prescription eyeglasses and sight-
saving surgeries. “We’re so excited to help more people in need,”
Mycoskie says. M
Left: Blake Mycoskie in Nepal; Right: Mycoskie in Argentina.
PHOTOS:LEFT,CourtesyofTOMS;RIGHT,KwakuAlstonPhotography
TOMS Three classic styles are offered for men and women in
an array of color options—from basic black to tortoiseshell—
each with an iconic hand-printed striping detail that
symbolizes the three elements of the program: the purchaser,
the benefactor and TOMS, bringing them all together.
Give BackPaying it forward in new and innovative ways
![104
montage | SUMMER 2012
TOMS one-for-oneBy Ashley Breeding
“Giving is what fuels us. Giving is our future.” —Blake Mycoskie
On a 2006 excursion to Argentina, American traveler Blake
Mycoskie discovered that many of the children there had no shoes
to protect their feet, which can lead not only to soil-transmitted
diseases, but impede education since most schools require shoes
as a part of the uniform, and those who don’t have them aren’t
permitted to attend. He felt compelled to help, and soon after, he
founded TOMS (toms.com), a philanthropic footwear company
that matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair donated
to a child in need. Mycoskie paid another visit to his small friends
in Argentina later that same year—this time with 10,000 pairs of
shoes in tow.
“Since [then], I’ve realized this One for One model could do
more than give shoes; it could and should address other needs
around the world,” Mycoskie says. Subsequently, the company
extended its charitable efforts to those suffering from the loss
of sight. “Sight is a fundamental need. The loss of sight has a
dramatic impact on a person’s life and on his or her family and
community,” he continues. The first to benefit will be the people
of Nepal, Tibet and Cambodia. Through the latest initiative in
collaboration with the Seva Foundation, a Northern California-
based nonprofit committed to aiding impoverished communities
around the globe, TOMS matches proceeds from its new sunglasses
to provide medical treatment, prescription eyeglasses and sight-
saving surgeries. “We’re so excited to help more people in need,”
Mycoskie says. M
Left: Blake Mycoskie in Nepal; Right: Mycoskie in Argentina.
PHOTOS:LEFT,CourtesyofTOMS;RIGHT,KwakuAlstonPhotography
TOMS Three classic styles are offered for men and women in
an array of color options—from basic black to tortoiseshell—
each with an iconic hand-printed striping detail that
symbolizes the three elements of the program: the purchaser,
the benefactor and TOMS, bringing them all together.
Give BackPaying it forward in new and innovative ways](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/6a822b7b-94f9-4c64-a770-96cebb357640-160714191331/85/Philanthropy_TOMS-1-320.jpg)
