TOMS Shoes: University of Montevallo Club Interview

Entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie developed the idea for TOMS Shoes during a 2006 vacation to Argentina. He noticed that a large amount of the children lacked shoes, which meant the risk of a lymphatic-system destroying, foot disease known as Podoconiosis. The lack of footwear also meant children were not allowed to attend school. These factors led Mycoskie to sell his online driver education company and develop the now-famous “One for One” campaign; for every shoe sold by TOMS, they will deliver one to a child in need. To secure sustainability, Mycoskie has made TOMS a business instead of a non-profit.
Mycoskie and his team personally deliver the shoes through “drops” by going to individual countries such as the United States, Haiti, Argentina, Ethiopia, Uruguay, and South Africa. He has found partners through the Clinton Global Initiative, Element Skateboards, AT&T. Since their inception, TOMS has provided 140,000 children and youth with pairs of shoes (as of April 2009) and plans to give away a million pairs by 2012.
Randall Porter, a University of Montevallo junior, recently became a campus representative for TOMS. I talked with Randall about his involvement with TOMS, what events are being planned for the campus “TOMS Club,” and how other students can make a difference.
CKD: How did initially get involved with TOMS?
RP: This summer I felt as I wasn't doing anything with my life and I needed to do something. Something that could help make a difference in the world. Then I saw the TOMS commercial, went to the official website and saw how I could get involved and the rest is history. So I became a campus rep for the University of Montevallo.
CKD: What would you say is the main goal of the Montevallo chapter?
RP: To help the students of the university to get involved with something that not only helps others but helps them as well.
CKD: How can UM students get involved with the club?
RP: Well, three ways. 1. You can get involved by ordering shoes with the UM Discount and encouraging others to do the same. 2. Be a part of the staff, the UM TOMS Club, because you can create and give ideas about events. 3. Become a Campus Rep yourself. I don't have to be the only campus rep; actually the other day I got word that we have another person; [UM Student] Evan Mullins joined the cause too. Now we are partnering up on leading the school's club.
CKD: Why do you think college students should get involved with organizations such as TOMS?
RP: Because we students don't realize how much power we have to make a difference in the world. No matter if it’s big or small. You can make a change. As Ghandi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
CKD: How have you been personally impacted by working with TOMS?
RP: Honestly, I feel like I have become a better person. I'm realizing that everything isn't about me and that there is always someone less fortunate than me. However, by getting involved with organization like TOMS, I can help change that.
CKD: What events do you have planned or are planning for this semester?
RP: So far we just want to get the word out that TOMS is here. We will have a TOMS campus party on Oct. 16, 2009 during lunch. We will be giving out discount codes and door prizes.
For more information about TOMS, check out www.tomsshoes.com. Contact Randall at TOMSuniversityofmontevallo@gmail.com for more information about the Montevallo chapter.