Feature

Jamie Bennett
TOMS
Jandy Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90066, United States
Jamie Bennett
(519) 240-2343
jamielee.bennett@toms.com

One for One: Be the Change

Los Angeles, CA March 26 2015
I cant make a difference.
It doesnt matter what I do.
Im only one person.
Weve all felt this way at one time or another in our lives. Weve all asked
ourselves if our actions, the actions of one person, can truly make a difference. The
weight of the world on our shoulders, the negative news stories coming at you from
every angle, the little voice telling you to just give up. Youre not strong enough, it
says.
But thats not true is it?






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TOMS doesnt think so either. TOMS believes that every person can make a
difference. TOMS believes that its okay, and good, to ask for help. TOMS thinks that
the world needs a little bit more help these days, and they are ready to be a part of
that help.
Born on a 2006 trip to South America, TOMS philosophy has, and always will
be One for One. When founder Blake Myscokie took that trip, he was unbelievably
overwhelmed by the sense of community and helpfulness that he experienced. The
people I met in Argentina, they had such great spirit, says Myscokie when asked
about this defining moment in his life, I realized that no matter their circumstances,
they truly wanted to help one another. They always very much wanted to make me
understand their community and interactions with the world around them.











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Since that faithful trip, Myscokie has been constantly driven to do more, and
is the prime example of what one person is capable of doing with the help of
others of course!
TOMS is always trying to take One for One just another step further.
Beginning with shoes in 2006, TOMS has grown to give over 35 millions shoes in 60
countries. In 2011 TOMS began applying their One for One to eyesight and has
restored sight to 250,000 individuals through sight saving surgeries and/or medical
treatments, as well as prescription eyewear. In 2014 TOMS started on a mission to
provide clean water with the purchase of TOMS Roasting Co. coffee beans.

Of course all of these projects embody TOMS One for One philosophy, but
they have more in common than that. All of TOMS projects and products are
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community based. All giving shoes (shoes that are given to a child in need
when a pair is purchased) are being made in the countries in which they are given,
not only to create jobs but also to make sure the shoes are based on the community
needs and wants. Building and fostering community is what One for One is based on.
The newest TOMS One for One initiative is no different.

The TOMS One for One Youth Volunteer Program will allow youth from
around the globe the opportunity to travel, connect, volunteer, and learn from each
other. The One for One Youth Volunteer Program, developed by TOMS Director of
Youth Programing Jessica Scrimshaw, pairs Western youth with youth in one of
TOMS recipient countries. The youth will spend 2 months total together, one month
in each of their respective communities. The pair of youth will also be teamed with a
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local community leader, and a TOMS Youth team member to help guide them.
Although youth are only physically together for two months, TOMS will help
facilitate contact between the youth and their families up to a year before hand. The
goal is that the youth will be comfortable with one another, and excited to finally
meet.
Each youth pair experience will be different. The programs will focus on the
youths particular interests, cultures, communities, and needs. The youth will be
encouraged and challenged during the duration of their time in the program. The
goal is to help the youth learn more about their communities, while also learning
how their actions can have global impacts. TOMS wants to help create a generation
of youth who live local and think global.











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TOMS is dedicated to helping youth have access to this wonderful

opportunity and wants their newest program to be readily available, so TOMS One
for One Youth Volunteer Program will be 100% funded by TOMS. TOMS doesnt
think money should stand in the way of youth participation and learning.
TOMS One for One is an example of how we can all help one another be the
change we want to see in this world. TOMS believes it can all start with one person,
but that one person comes from a community.
For more information on TOMS and their One for One Youth Volunteer
program, please visit www.toms.com
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