Mar 20

Mar 20 One for One®

*I decided to write about this brand because I truly love their products. #notanad

I was walking through Disneyland in 2010 and noticed a lot of people were wearing similar style shoes. I took note of the brand that was printed on a little white tag on the shoes, got home and did some research.

My love affair with TOMS began. Any brand that bases its entire identity on giving back is a brand for me. One for One® is what they call it. You purchase a pair, and someone somewhere in dire need of a pair of shoes receives one, too. I mean, this is the epitome of a company with a conscience.

Since the inception in 2006, TOMS has donated more than 75 million pairs of brand new shoes to children in need. But they didn’t want to stop there.

TOMS shoes are incredibly comfortable, breathable, and easy to slip on and off. More recently, they expanded the styles to include heels, wedges, and various men’s styles. TOMS also expanded the brand to include accessories aside from shoes. My favorite will always be the classic TOMS, with glitter, of course.

With the purchase of TOMS Eyewear, TOMS provides a person in need with a full eye exam by trained medical professionals, plus treatment if needed. So far, TOMS has helped restore sight to over 500 thousand people in need.

Nope, didn’t stop there. TOMS also sells coffee through the TOMS Roasting Co. Coffee. A purchase of a bag of this provides 140 liters of safe water to a person in need. One bag of coffee equals to a week’s supply of water to someone. So far, they’ve helped provide 450 thousand weeks of safe water. If you don’t find this mind boggling yet, keep reading.

TOMS now has handbags, and you guessed it, a purchase of a TOMS Bag supports the delivery of vital materials and training needed to help provide safe births. 175,000 mothers out there with adorable babies, all thanks to TOMS.

And finally, what is a huge epidemic around the world and most importantly, in this very country? A purchase of TOMS High Road Backpacks helps provide the training of school staff and crisis counselors to help prevent and respond to instances of bullying.

So many incredibly ways of giving back. TOMS could have easily donated money to various causes, but that didn’t seem to be enough for them. They had to get their handprints on these causes and truly help people in need.