One for One

One for One

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.

One for One is spreading

TOMS has also inspired other companies to implement a One for One
model. Ralph Lauren sells co-branded Polo Rugby TOMS, giving a matched
pair with every pair sold. Element Skateboards has issued limited
edition TOMS + Element shoes as well as a One for One skateboard. With
every skateboard purchased, one will be given to a child at the Indigo
Skate Camp in Durban, South Africa. It is TOMS’ hope that as our One for
One movement continues to grow, more and more companies will look to
incorporate giving into what they do.

Our Story

In
2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in
Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to
help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of
shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One
for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and
staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by
caring TOMS customers.

Since our beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over 400,000* pairs
of shoes to children in need, through the purchases of caring customers.

*As of December 2009