What’s the latest UConn Campus Kicks trend? Going barefoot! Instead of updating you on what Campus Kicks to be wearing, I’ll be telling you about why you should be kicking them off! I had the opportunity to speak with Shaynna Cutler, the Chief Organization Officer of the TOMS Campus Club here at UConn. I learned all about the TOMS story and the upcoming event they will be hosting, One Day Without Shoes.
Most students are familiar with the TOMS name and the signature shoe design, but are not aware of the mission behind the organization. The TOMS organization was started by Blake Mycoskie in an effort to provide shoes for children in developing countries. He created the TOMS shoe company in 2006 with the mission tag line, One for One, donating one pair of shoes for every pair bought. This project was initially focused in Argentina, with a first drop off of 10,000 pairs of shoes, and since then has expanded to 23 other countries. As of October 2011, the TOMS organization has donated a total of over 2 million pairs of shoes!
The TOMS mission has now expanded to college campuses across the country. I spoke with Shaynna Cutler about her experiences with TOMS and how she got involved at UConn. Shaynna has always been a TOMS follower and applied to be a campus director last spring to bring the organization to UConn. The TOMS Campus Club was started this past fall with the goal to spread awareness about the TOMS story and its mission. Since the club has started, there have been several events on campus including various documentary screenings. Their largest event, One Day Without Shoes, is coming up this week on Tuesday, April 10th.
One Day Without Shoes is a day to raise awareness about the impact that one pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. UConn will be participating in this global event by holding a walk through campus in which participants are asked to remove their shoes. The walk will begin at Homer Babbidge Library and continue through Fairfield Way. The event will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 from 11am-4pm. There will be a raffle door prize, fun giveaways, and food for participants. Come show your support for the TOMS Campus Club and kick off your shoes for a great cause!
If you are interested in learning more about the TOMS Campus Club, One Day Without Shoes, or want to get involved at UConn, feel free to contact Shaynna Cutler at shaynna.cutler@uconn.edu.