We LOVE it! Thank you!!

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1. The shoe heard ’round the world: On Dec. 14, the quickfooted prez dodged two size-10 men’s dress shoes thrown by Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi at a press conference…

2. Project stumbleway: During Milan Fashion Week last September, models were falling for — and down over — Prada’s high-altitude heels during runway shows for the spring ’09 collection. Several models teetered and two actually fell while strutting the catwalk…

Reflecting on our past year here at TOMS, we’ve had some newsworthy events, too. Here are just a few:

1. We held our first Shoe Drop on our own turf: Blake, full-time TOMS employees, and dedicated volunteers traveled to Gulfport, MS, Orlando, FL, and Booneville, KY to give white canvas shoes to elementary-aged children. The TOMS teams also brought along markers and paints for the kids to decorate and customize their shoes.

2. We launched the TOMS Wrap Boot: the first new product launch since TOMS began in May 2006. We quickly sold out of the red and black boots as women across the country went crazy for the diversity of this boot.

3. The TOMS Vagabond tour launched on October 1st: 5 regional teams traveled the US sharing the TOMS mission and hosting Style Your Sole parties. At the close of the tour, the Vagabonds had collectively sold over 4,900 pairs of shoes, collected over 2,000 contacts, and developed over 500 fans on Facebook.

4. TOMS hit the 100,000 mark: we can proudly say that due the support of our caring customers, TOMS has ben able to give OVER 115,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world.

Of course, there are many exciting things we’ve experienced this past year as a rapidly growing company. What were your favorite TOMS moments this past year, and what do you hope to see in ‘09?

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so now that the weather is changing… TOMS with socks, or with out?

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Now that I’m back in the office, here is my attempt to put it all in a nutshell …

Over the course of two weeks, nearly fifty friends of TOMS volunteered their time and energy to give shoes and host Style Your Sole parties for children in Gulfport, MS; Orlando, FL; and Booneville, KY.

In Gulfport, we had volunteers from AZ, CO, LA, AL, and CA. Several TOMS employees were also on hand as we visited eight elementary schools in four districts affected by Hurricane Katrina and more recently, Hurricane Gustav.

This group really got the momentum started with their creativity and enthusiasm for designing their new pair of TOMS. One little girl in particular covered her mouth with her hands, gasping in excitement after we assured her class that they could keep their creations and take them home! Seriously a precious moment (why didn’t I have a camera planted on my head?!?).

Orlando brought some more artists out of their shells and more friends of TOMS together. Volunteers from FL, NC, and TX visited four schools in central Florida. We were brought to these locations through a local organization that has been providing shoes to children in the area for ten years.

The highlight of the Orlando Drops was definitely one little boy during the first day. After finishing his work of art on his new shoes, he murmured something to his teacher as he left the room. The teacher then asked him to turn around and say it to the group of volunteers. And I quote: “This is the BEST day of my LIFE!” … Is your heart melting right now?!? We all wanted to take this kid home! This was an awesome testament to the care and love the volunteers showed that boy and all of the other children. Whether it was fitting their TOMS on their feet or holding down a stencil so they could draw the perfect flower – the volunteers truly made every moment memorable for all the kids.

Booneville, KY was our only one-day/one-school Shoe Drop. It was great to see Kentucky locals meet up with volunteers from Tennessee, Michigan, Texas, and California! Everyone had great spirits about providing shoes and a fun day for children in one of the poorest counties in the nation. There was one kid who didn’t want draw on his shoes because he said they were too nice and another who shouted he was going to wear his “forever”!  It’s amazing what a gift (especially one you can draw all over) can do for a kid.

Each Shoe Drop location was unique but similar in the sense that we could provide an equally fun day for all involved. Yes, some children did not need new shoes or a festive day (they have parents who can provide for their needs and/or emotional attention), but for the ones we met whose shoes were too small/big/tight/worn out or just needed a smiling face and hug, the day was for them – a day where everyone got the same opportunity to have a new pair of shoes and be their own designers.

Though some volunteers may have come out with sore knees/backs or quasi-permanent sharpie tattoos, their dedication to make it all happen, one pair at a time, was inspiring and what really made it all happen.

Thank you to everyone who helped make our first USA efforts possible and such a success – all Friends of TOMS, school administrators, local organizations, local businesses, and all the friends and families who supported the volunteers in getting involved with the One for One movement. It was truly amazing to do something in our own backyard and we hope that it’s only the beginning!

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Click more to see all of our pictures!

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Two and a half years ago I had an idea to start a shoe company where every pair we sold would be matched with a pair given to a child in need. What started as a “project” to give 250 kids in Argentina their first pair of new shoes has unexpectedly become one of the fastest growing shoe companies on the planet — and in the process TOMS Shoes have given over 85,000 shoes to children in need around the world. Needless to say, it has also changed my life in a powerful way.

Unitl yesterday, our giving efforts have focused on countries like Ethiopia, South Africa, and Argentina. Without a doubt, the most frequently asked question I receive since I started TOMS has been, “What about kids in the U.S.?”, which led me to conduct extensive research on the topic. What I found was that most kids, even those living in disaster recovery zones, have access to a pair of shoes. However, the disclaimer I found with that fact is that almost all their shoes are hand-me-downs that often fit improperly and sometimes, they are required to share shoes among several siblings. What stood out the most in my research was how difficult life could be for these kids — many still living in FEMA trailers while their homes are rebuilt — and that rarely a day comes when they can just have fun.

Our growth at TOMS Shoes has come in part through parties called Style Your Sole, where participants spend an evening — from summer camps to college nights to 40th birthday parties — designing their own TOMS Shoes and sharing the story of our One for One movement. Each attendee starts with a white pair of shoes and customizes them with art supplies, knowing that not only will they end up with a creation all their own but a child somewhere in the world will be receiving a pair of shoes on their behalf. These parties are tons of fun, and I thought they could be the perfect fit for the children I read about living in our country’s disaster recovery zones. How perfect for the children to not only receive what might be the first pair of shoes that are truly theirs, but to be able to express themselves on those shoes. Their new shoes aren’t just new, they belong to them in every aspect.

TOMS is visiting schools in four districts and we plan to reach 3,500 elementary students. The schools we are visiting are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. We have visited two schools as of yesterday, and the feedback we are receiving has been inspiring and fulfilling. Katie Hodge, a student nurse at Gaston Point Elementary, wrote in and told us for the first time in a long time, kids at her school had something to be excited about.

We can’t wait to finish the week strong. Our volunteers are amazing and they inspire me to keep doing what we do best: sell shoes so children everywhere, in every community, know that they are cared for. Even though the economy is in bad shape and the election is bitter, there are people taking the small step to change the world.

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” I was one of the student nursing students at Gaston Point Elementary School
today in Gulfport, MS.  I just wanted to say thank you for
doing what you did.  Those children were so excited and that is a big deal
because there isn’t much to be excited about these days for children down
here.  We had never heard of your organization and I think that it’s
wonderful! I’ve been telling everyone I talk to about it and I think that
more people should be reached about it down here.  A lot of people would
like to help. Thanks a lot!”

Stay tuned for more updates, pictures, and videos!!!

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Over the course of our three Shoe Drops this year in Gulfport, MS, Orlando, FL, and Booneville, KY, TOMS and Friends of TOMS will visit approximately 7,000 students! We can still use your help. If you are able to commit your time to volunteering with Friends of TOMS at any one of these three locations, please email us (mary@tomsshoes.com)!

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