In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, was travelling in Argentina and noticed that children were lacking one simple thing that could improve their health: SHOES.
He decided to create a company (TOMS) that would give away a pair of shoes to a child in need, for every pair that he sold: "One for One"
Later the SAME year... Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.
Since 2006, TOMS has given over 140,000 pairs of shoes to children in need through the One for One model. TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009.
Why shoes? Read THIS.
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I know that all of us were struggling during the seminar thinking up social problems and possible business solutions to these problems. I remember thinking up a storm before settling on the issue of recycling. TOMS just goes to show that the most critical problems/solutions lie right under our noses; all you have to do is seek them out and "incorporate giving"
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Alaa! Some of the most powerful programs are the most simple concepts. And the most impact can come from a simple solution that we have readily available. I especially like the fact that the concept employed with TOMS is not "throwing money" at the issue- it creates a tangible benefit for those in need, and bypasses bureaucracy.
ReplyDeleteAlso- if you are interested in other interesting environmental initiatives, check this out: http://icfi.doyourpartclimate.org/how.php