BLAKE MYCOSKIE ONE DAY BIO
WITHOUT SHOES
Blake Mycoskie is the Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes, and the man behind the growing One for One movement. Blake Mycoskie is the Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes, and the man behind the growing One for One movement. As of April 2010, TOMS has given over 1,000,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need through giving partners around the world.
It didn’t take long for the world to notice this new approach to business – in 2007, only a year after its beginning, TOMS Shoes was honored with the prestigious People’s Design Award from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution. And two years after that, TOMS and Blake Mycoskie were the proud recipients of the Secretary of State’s 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) presented by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton. The award celebrates companies’ commitment to corporate social responsibility, innovation, exemplary practices, and democratic values worldwide. While running TOMS, Blake is a sought-after speaker at campuses and conferences all over the country. He is passionate about inspiring young people to help make tomorrow better, encouraging them to include giving in
everything they do, from business practices to day-to-day decisions. His hope is to see a future full of socially minded businesses, and consumers. This unique vision for the future came into focus in 2006, when he witnessed the hardships facing children growing up barefoot in Argentina. He felt a need to help, and the One for One movement was born. He returned the following year with friends and family to hand-place 10,000 pairs of new shoes on children. Blake has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, starting five businesses before TOMS. His first was a successful national campus laundry service, which he later sold. Between business ventures, Blake competed in the CBS primetime series, The Amazing Race. With his sister, Paige, Blake
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” 10
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traveled the world and came within minutes of winning the $1 million dollar grand prize. Blake is an avid reader and traveler. He is 33-years-old and lives on a sailboat in Los Angeles. A favorite quote of his by Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Join Us April 5, 2011
GO BAREFOOT
SO KIDS DON’T HAVE TO One Day Without Shoes is the day we take off our shoes to raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life.
A Better Tomorrow Healthy, educated children have a better chance of improving the future of their entire community.
Millions of children grow up without shoes and at risk of infection and disease every day, and some are not allowed to go to school without shoes. One Day Without Shoes is the day we take off our shoes to raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child's life.
Now Get Involved
How We Give Give Sustainably, Give Responsibly. Children grow out of shoes every six months on average, so we aim to give this often whenever possible. This also allows us to learn more about the needs of the community and adapt to them.
Facts: Growing Up Without Shoes In many developing countries, children must walk barefoot for miles to school, clean water and medical help. Injury & Disease Hundreds of millions of children are at risk of injury, infection and soil-transmitted diseases that most can’t afford to prevent and treat. Education & Opportunity Children who are healthy are more likely to be successful students, and access to education is a critical determinant of long-term success.
1. Sign up for updates, then spread the word 2. Gather your group and decide what you’ll do without shoes. 3. Go without shoes on April 5th. Spark some curiosity, change some lives!
What Will You Do Without Shoes on April 5th? 1. Dance Without Shoes 2. Work Without Shoes 3. Play Without Shoes
Let Us know what you plan to do without shoes on April 5th by visiting us at: www.onedaywithoutshoes.com give hope | issue 1
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