Tomorrow’s Shoes
“I just cried… People talk to me, and I cried. People say, ‘Oh Alejo, thank you very much,’ and I just cried… Now I see the documentary and I say, ‘How the hell could I cry so much?!’”
When you hear Alejo tell the story you can’t help but smile. Alejo was a professional polo player in Argentina, that is until he met Blake Mycoskie. Blake was an American between jobs and wanted to learn polo. When the two met, they quickly became friends. Together they conceived the idea of a shoe company, wherein for every pair of shoes purchased, a pair would be given to a child in need. 6 months later, Alejo was moved to tears, when surrounded by thousands of children, each with a new pair of shoes. He saw his dream come true. That was in 2006 and it was the beginning of TOMS Shoes.
TOMS Shoes (short for “Tomorrow’s Shoes”) was an idea born after Blake Mycoskie met a woman doing a shoe drive in South America. Inspired by one woman trying to make a difference and children with a basic need, Blake got the idea. Then the unlikely happened, he ran in to Alejo… again. Blake and Alejo had already met, became friends, and said good-bye not knowing if they would ever see each other again. Blake continued to Florianopolis, Brazil where he looked to learn to sail. Alejo without knowing, was also vacationing in Florianopolis. The two happened into the same bar, in the same hour, on the same day. Alejo convinced Blake to return to Argentina and stay with him, where the idea of TOMS Shoes fostered into reality.
When I contacted Alejo earlier in the year, I had no idea who he or TOMS Shoes was. I was just looking for a project to volunteer with in South America. A friend of a friend, who I met in the Dominican Republic, sent Alejo an email. Three months later I was in Buenos Aires, sitting at the desk of this energetic and barefooted twenty-something, as he introduced me to TOMS and mate, Argentina’s national drink. Over a highly caffeinated cup and a metal straw, he explained the story of TOMS, and how within two years the company had grown to 46 employees and had given away over to 200,000 pairs of shoes.
Then he introduced me to Pepe, his charismatic counterpart responsible for locating areas throughout Argentina where TOMS could donate shoes. We shared stories and I explained the vision of theworldbysea.com. Immediately Pepe started brainstorming, thinking of places, schools, people that I might be able to help with. One place stuck out- a small, secluded school district where the need was great. He would contact the superintendent to offer help.
In the meantime, another opportunity unfolded. As we spoke, an international team of volunteers made their way to Argentina. It was time for the TOMS shoe drop. In two days a small group of people would gather from different parts of the world to help fulfill the vision of TOMS by distributing shoes to Argentine children. I was invited to help.
It amazes me how things can turn around. Three days earlier I walked frustrated streets and saw nothing but dead ends. Now my roads were open with opportunity. And on the same road I discovered are others inspired to serve, ordinary individuals driven to do extraordinary things.
6 comments
I just saw the segment on Sunday Morning (CBS program-02/28/10) and was also moved to tears. What an incredible concept! I plan on buying my shoes online now from your website. Someday, I hope to be able to volunteer and help you distribute the shoes to the children. Please keep up this wonderful work! God bless you and all your volunteers! I work in Mission Integration at a Catholic hospital in Saginaw, MI. We help support associates who go on mission trips. My heart is in this work and someday I hope to be able to become an active participant! Thank you for your efforts. I know it must be so rewarding and also emotionally exhausting! I was also very impressed in how Blake gave up his worldly goods and now lives on a sailboat. I totally agree that we are weighed down by the “things” we own and could be so much happier in the “things” we do for others! You are a true inspiration!
Sincerely, Carole (Sproull) Miller
My husband & I also saw the segment on CBS Sunday morning! My husband said, let’s just buy our shoes online from TOMS. We are sailors, too and fairly new to sailing. This is such an inspiring story! We need more people like Blake. Carole – I wish you all the best (we live in Michigan, too)!
I too saw the Sunday Morning segment and feel the same way, I would like to buy my shoes from him.
However, I have been unable to find where to purchase these shoes at.
help?
Debra
Hey everyone, I posted a link to TOMS where you can check out and buys some shoes. Hope that helps. Cheers.
Derek
i was overcome by the cbs segment.the wonders of some people !I have dreamt of doing something in life like bringing fresh water to a village where people walk far to get it.This idea of shoes is wonderful.Up to now i have spent years wallowing with a high level of education,but reduced to years of unemployment and now a dui and no license.What can i do??where can i start to serve human kind in such a great way.?My heart cries out.Way -to-go to yall !
God Bless People like you who have aheart as Big as Texas we all could learn a lesson in life about giving and not taking so much back .W e are all Truley Blessed here in America to have everything given to us and at our disposal , we should not take things for ganted and always be willing to help and i know as a person Mother an a NanaNina My door is always open.
GOD BLESS TOMS ~
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