Gabriella Pons has six pairs of TOMS in her closet. That's a whole lot of money to spend on the same kind of shoe, but what if for each pair you buy, another gets donated to someone in need? TOMS has finally legitimized women's (and men's, we know you like it too) shoe shopping addiction.
Next Friday, TOMS is making its way to Miami to raise awareness for the movement in conjunction with Viernes Culturales. The event will host two screenings of a 35-minute documentary, as well as four additional short videos of TOMS current day work in Cambodia, Rwanda, Honduras, and Nepal.
In 2006, Blake Mycoskie took his first trip to Argentina, where through
his work with children, he became aware of global poverty
Americans don't often see. Thus, TOMS was born, the for-profit company
operates the non-profit subsidiary and matches every pair of shoes
purchased by donating a pair to a child in need. To date, TOMS has
donated over 1 million pairs in their signature style, the Alpargata,
the traditional shoe of Argentina.
Pons, a current TOMS
enthusiast and member of the organization's intern program, decided to
turn a small aspect of her internship into a community shindig in order
to show people that these shoes aren't just a hippie staple or a hipster
fashion statement.
"The showing for the documentary is just for
getting a group of people together, but I decided to make it more of an
event," Pons said.
Originally part of the TOMS chapter at
Emerson and now FIU, Pons is leading the movement toward the streets of
Calle Ocho in hopes of bringing together multiple cultures and causes.
Every last Friday of the month Viernes Culturales throws a big party on
the historic street to inform the public of Cuban Miami culture and
heritage with food, galleries, and parties.
For the event, the
Arepa Box and Che Grill food trucks will be stopping by to introduce
event-goers to a taste of Argentina. Natural juices will also be
provided.
Guests can also stop by the information table to pick up some promo codes for $5 off their next TOMS purchase.
TOMS
also recently launched their eyewear line, where every purchase pays
for someone's prescription glasses or a visit to an optometrist.
So
get your feet over to the screening and give someone somewhere a chance
to own a much needed pair of TOMS. Shoe donations are also encouraged.
The documentary takes place at the Futurama Art Gallery, 1687 SW 8th St,
Miami, FL 33135, Friday June 29, from 7 to 10 p.m.
--Briana Saati
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