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| Photo taken by bark on flickr.com. Found by creativecommons.com. |
We are used to the typical businesses around us. Go in, pick what you need, pay them the money they want. Drive through, order up, give them whatever prices they announce over the intercom. Get online, add to your cart, and hand over your credit card number. Pretty much every business is obviously in it for the money, and that's all. But surprisingly yet increasingly, we are beginning to find businesses that work a little differently.
These business have a goal of making the world a better place and making for a better future. One of my favorite businesses like this is TOMS Shoes. If you haven't heard of this sweeping trend already, TOMS is no ordinary shoe source. For every pair of TOMS sold, TOMS Shoes gives back a pair to a child without any shoes for themselves. But why shoes? TOMS gives shoes to children often in third-world countries. Those children are more prone to diseases that are in the soil. These diseases can penetrate from the ground into bare feet. Without shoes, these children are likely to get cuts and injuries on their feet, welcoming any germs or illnesses. Not only does their health depend on something to cover their feet, but also their education. Some children without shoes are not allowed to go to school because shoes are a required part of their uniform. Shoes can make all the difference, and the founder of TOMS understands.
I proudly own a pair of TOMS, myself, one of many more to come. The fact that they are extremely comfortable, versatile and of course cute doesn’t even come close to knowing you helped a child in need just by purchasing something you can enjoy, too. TOMS is a way that I turned a normal purchase into something even greater. Hopefully, businesses like these will blossom, turning every-day purchases into things that can change the world.
For more on the TOMS movement and the full story, click here.
Works Cited
"Our Movement." Www.toms.com. TOMS Shoes. Web. 24 Feb. 2011.
<http://www.toms.com/ourmovement>.
Dear Molly M,
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you were talking about TOMS, automatically caught my attention, and realed me in to read more about it. I liked the picture of the person barefoot in the rain, it really makes an impact for the reader. I own several pairs of TOMS myself, and love to hear about things that they are doing for children without shoes in third-world countries and the impact they are making on their lives.
In the text, you wrote that; "For every pair of TOMS sold, TOMS Shoes gives back a pair to a child without any shoes for themselves." This is a really bautiful concept for giving back to people who are less fortunate than ourselves. It shows that there really are some genuinely good people in the world that care about others, and more than just themselves.
Something that I never really thought about was when you mentioned that; "Some children without shoes are not allowed to go to school because shoes are a required part of their uniform." I never thought about shoes being apart of a dress code here in America, but I guess it is different for kids in third-world countries that are deprived of their schooling for not owning a pair of shoes. TOMS make it possible for them to go to school, which is a truly great thing.
Thank you for writing this blog post about TOMS. It was insightful, and meaningful, and I look forward to coming back next time and seeing what is in store for your future blogposts. Your awesome Molly M!
Sincerely, Goldfinch
Dear Molly,
ReplyDeleteTo be honest the reason I began to read this post was because of the picture. I thought it was super cute and was wondering how it tied into what you had to say- the topic of this piece definitely hooked me. My friend and I found out about TOMS back in sophomore year before most people knew what they were. All of our friends thought they were a bit over-priced, until we told them you’re actually buying two pairs: one for yourself and one for a child who cannot afford their own.
I really enjoyed how you started this by saying some companies are running things differently. It really is a new thing for a brand to give back a pair of shoes for each one bought.
I really like the part that describes: why shoes? It is amazing to me that a person could live without them in the first place but when you get to thinking about all of the diseases and infection a child could get from not having any, really makes your think.
I am so happy that you wrote this, giving TOMS the recognition they so truly deserve! I can’t wait to read another one of your posts.
-Galago
Dear Molly,
ReplyDeleteI really like were your going with this blog. I totally agree with you how other companies are out there to just get money. I knew about TOMS, but i dint know that they gave a way shoes to children in third world countries.
You said,” Pretty much every business is obviously in it for the money, and that's all.” This statement hit the nail on the head. Business now days are all about money. I mean we have seen this time and time again where the business care less for people and more about the money.
You also stated, “ Without shoes, these children are likely to get cuts and injuries on their feet, welcoming any germs or illnesses.” This quote stood out to me because in the back of every bodies minds we know this, but when do you see us as humans try to reach out and help people like TOMS. Such a simple quote just comes to show how important shows are.
I really enjoyed reading this blog. I like how you took a different route about corporations and showed the brighter side of things. I like your style and I will definitely will come back to read more.
Sincerely
Hummingbird,
Dear Molly,
ReplyDeleteI don't own a pair of TOMS myself but I do think that the movement is amazing. I stopped to read this because I knew that anything about TOMS would be a worthy read, especially since I've mentioned them in a blog of mine as well.
It's good that you mentioned that TOMS does their business differently than most. There are tons of companies that donate proceeds to charities but TOMS actually gives shoes and I think that is awesome.
I totally agree with you when you said "shoes can make the difference". They are something most of us don't think twice about but they can actually do so much more than that.
Thank you so much for writing about TOMS so that more people can know exactly what they do and giving the link so people could find out more.
-Cardinal
Dear Molly,
ReplyDeleteI really like that you chose to write about TOMS. I feel like they've become the newest trend, regardless that a pair gets donated for every pair purchased, so this definitely makes the trend worth it. I think what TOMS is doing is fantastic and if we had more corporations like them we would be a much better world.
I really like how you pointed out that a lot of kids wouldn't go to school without TOMS because they wouldn't have the shoes that are required. This is something I don't think a lot of people realize, but definitely shows that something so simple as a pair of shoes can go a long way.
Also, I like how you point out that it's not only TOMS donating, but you're the one that buys the product so shoes are donated in the first place. I completely support this philosophy as it encourages people all around the world to make a difference for those that might otherwise be looked over.
I really like your blog's honesty. Keep it up.
Grackle