TOMS puts shoes on the feet of needy children
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Kenny and Elle Campbell display their custom-designed TOMS shoes. They each painted their shoes with their own personal touch, and by purchasing a TOMS shoe they also buy a pair for a child in need.

Would you buy a pair of custom designed shoes if you knew a child, who had no shoes, would also receive a pair?

Hopefully, most people would answer "yes," and through a program organized by the Chapel at Cross- Point they can. Best of all - the shoes are custom made by the wearer.

Amherst resident Kenny Campbell, director of Middle School Ministry at the Chapel at CrossPoint, has organized a local edition of "Style Your Sole '08," a program that benefits children in poor countries.

"We invite all students from schools around the area to participate," he said.

The program asks participants to buy one pair of TOMS Shoes for $37, and the company then donates one pair to a child in need.

TOMS comes from the word "tomorrow," and was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, a contestant on the second season of the TV show "Amazing Race." The competition took him to Argentina where he said he was struck by the poverty and health issues of the country.

"I was overwhelmed by the spirit of the South American people, especially those who had so little," he said. "And I was instantly struck with the desire, the responsibility, to do more."

He reinvented the "alpargata," a traditional, rope-soled shoe, for the U.S. market and had one goal in mind: "Make life more comfortable for those without shoes."

He has committed to match every pair of TOMS sold with a pair of shoes for a child in need. In the first year, 10,000 shoes were sold and Mycoskie returned to Argentina to lead a shoe drop.

In November, he is planning to deliver more than 50,000 shoes in Africa.

TOMS are slip-on shoes in lightweight fabrics and a variety of colors. Children's, women's and men's sizes are available.

Locally, Campbell has decided to hold a community event inspired by the company.

"I thought it was a cool idea," he said about reading Mycoskie's story and mission. "Our middle school ministry has 300 youths that come every week, and they are all fired up about it."

The community can take part by ordering a pair of TOMS by May 18, and then on June 7, all are welcome to customize their shoes at the Style Your Sole Party.

The party will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 7, at Transit Middle School, 8730 Transit Road, north of Klein Road, Amherst. At the party, participants can paint, draw or style their shoes however they want.

Shoes will be delivered to the school for the party.

Visit www.styleyoursole08. com to order a pair by May 18.

The youths are collecting orders, due by May 18. Call Campbell at 631-2636, ext. 262. Get involved

To order a pair of TOMS Shoes for the party, visit www. styleyoursole08. com or call 631-2636, ext. 262. Orders due by May 18.