TOMS One Day Without Shoes Pledge
by Kristie Griffith April 10th, 2012 at 1:30 PM
TOMS shoes is known for its innovative buy a shoe, give a shoe commitment, but that is not the only "Give Back" initiative they have going on. Today is TOMS' One Day Without Shoes campaign that encourages people to take the pledge of going barefoot for all, or part, of the day in honor of the millions of children in the world who don't have shoes.
TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie poses next to a picture with dozens of bare feet next to a sign which reads "We Pledge to go Without Shoes [on] April 10, 2012."
"The general concept for the past five years has been the same: take your shoes off for 10 minutes, walk a mile, or go all day barefoot," TOMS Founder Blake Mycoskie wrote in a Huffington Post blog. "You'll quickly realize how uncomfortable it can be, and our hope is that this feeling creates a lasting connection you have with the need TOMS shoes aims to address. It's also likely that your friends, colleagues, and strangers will ask, 'What are you doing? Where are your shoes?' and that provides you with an opportunity to share the story."
Mycoskie is right--imagine a man in a business suit walking into the office barefoot. Clients, bosses and co-workers would definitely ask him what it's all about. Imagine walking into a gym barefoot and hopping on a treadmill. Another conversation starter. Imagine all the everyday activities we do and places we go and then imagine doing them barefoot. If you can muster the courage--kick off your shoes today and go get your Starbucks pick me up barefoot. In the name of TOMS.