APPAREL: TOMS Shoes

This is so cool! No, wait, it's better because this is ZONINO! If only more big box retailers would think on this kind of a global scale and not just some of the smaller entrepreneurial start-ups out there, the world would be a very different place, or at least in a different state of mind.

TOMS Shoes was started by a man named Blake Mycoskie who, upon visiting places in rural Argentina, noticed many of the children did not have adequate, or any, footwear. With his new company, Mycoskie vows that for every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS will donate a pair to child in need. This movement is called the "One for One" program.

In explaining the reason for focusing on shoes, Mycoskie says on the website, "Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk. Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot. Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation. 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."

The shoes for purchase come in a variety of styles for both men, women, and children and are available in man different materials, most of which seem to be very environmentally conscious; there is a "vegan" shoe, after all! TOMS also sells socially conscious t-shirts say things like "Be the change" accompanied by a picture of a shoe and "I vote. I give blood. I [shoe]."

These would make great gifts for a friend or to yourself. OR to a friend AND yourself which would mean two shoeless children somewhere might be able to get to school. The gift that truly keeps on giving!

Sergio del Limónar