By slipping into a pair of TOMS shoes, a sense of fashion and giving are fulfilled.
TOMS shoes are the “shoes for tomorrow.”
A purchase of one pair of shoes automatically buys a pair for a disadvantaged child.
The children are in parts of Africa, Argentina and even in crisis areas of the United States.
The one-for-one idea to build a better tomorrow caught the attention of senior Lauren Coggiola.
“I read about TOMS in a magazine, and I thought it was a really cool concept. Coggiola said. “I had to buy a pair.”
“It started when the founder went to Argentina, and ‘he saw so many people without shoes, but the farmers had these types of shoes on.’”
TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie decided to provide shoes and allow other people to help.
Simply supporting the cause was not enough for Coggiola.
“I applied for a campus representative internship, and after a phone interview, I got the job,” Coggiola said.
Being an apparel merchandising major, Coggiola has the chance to use her major skills and marketing ability.
She sells TOMS at several events on campus.
“They are $42 for both pairs, and the second pair goes to different places each year,” Coggiola said.
After Hurricane Katrina, they went to New Orleans, and last year 50,000 were dropped in Africa, Coggiola said.
Coggiola is hosting a Paint Your Sole Party today at 5 p.m. in Human Environmental Sciences Room 236.
“Since the shoes are canvas, you can use acrylic paint to put what you want on them,” Coggiola said. “People use their name, patterns, or they paint them solid colors.”
The Paint Your Sole Party also includes a documentary about TOMS and its goal.
Students can also buy a pair of TOMS at the paint party.
“The shoes are slip-ons and very comfy,” Coggiola said. “You can buy them in all colors, patterns, and even glittery.”
These shoes are not just for girls, said Easton Elder, a sophomore mechanical engineer major.
“I have bought two pair. I like the way they look,” Elder said. “Plus, the fact a pair goes to kids. It is definitely a unisex shoe.”
Coggiola’s roommate, Candace Hester, a marketing senior said, “When UPS first dropped off the shoes, our living room looked like a warehouse.”
Coggiola urges everyone to come to the paint party.
“I would love to see everyone come support this great cause and get some great shoes at the same time,” Coggiola said.
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