TOMS Returns to Its Roots at Monson-Sultana School
Nearly twenty years ago, TOMS introduced the world to a beautifully simple idea — that something as ordinary as buying a pair of shoes could be transformed into an act of extraordinary kindness. That when business is anchored in humanity, everyday purchases can ripple outward and change lives.
On November 6, that original spark of purpose glowed brighter than ever as TOMS arrived at Monson-Sultana School in Central California to place brand-new shoes into the hands of K–8 students. The children, some shy, some beaming, accepted their boxes with the kind of gratitude that makes a room feel lighter. Thanks to customers who shopped during TOMS’ revived One for One™ Days, every child walked away with a pair of shoes that wasn’t just needed — it was deserved.
The distribution event, created in partnership with Save the Children, honored the giving model that transformed TOMS from a shoe brand into a global movement. For two days this year — June 8 for International Children’s Day and August 9 for back-to-school season — TOMS brought back its iconic promise:
Buy a pair, give a pair.
The response was overwhelming, and last week, that promise came full circle.
“Seeing the direct connection between our customers’ purchases and the impact we can make together never gets old,” shared Becky Kent, TOMS VP of Impact. “Families who shopped with us on One for One Days chose to be part of something bigger. And through the incredible partnership with Save the Children, those choices become meaningful change. Now kids at Monson-Sultana have new shoes that fit well and feel good.”
What might seem like a simple donation actually represents something deeper. A new pair of shoes can relieve financial pressure at home. It can mean the difference between blistered feet and confident strides. It can allow a child to run freely, play fully, and show up to school without worry or embarrassment.
“When children have the essentials they need — like a sturdy pair of shoes — they can walk and run confidently toward their full potential,” said Lucero Chavez Ramirez, California State Director for Save the Children. “We’re honored to partner with TOMS and their customers, whose generosity is transforming individual acts of kindness into lasting change in children’s lives.”
Together, TOMS and Save the Children have woven an enduring legacy of support. Since 2006, TOMS has donated over 100 million pairs of shoes and contributed more than $200M in grants and donations, helping nonprofits shift outcomes for children across the globe. More than 1.3 million pairs have been given through the partnership with Save the Children alone — all powered not by corporations or governments, but by everyday people choosing to care.
Founded in Venice Beach, TOMS began with the iconic Alpargata and a mission stitched straight into the sole: use business as a force for good. Today, with comfortable, thoughtfully designed footwear sold in over 30 countries, TOMS continues to lean into its role as a Certified B Corporation, championing ethical commerce and child-centered impact.
Save the Children, with more than a century of humanitarian leadership, stands firmly in the belief that every child deserves a future filled with safety, learning, and opportunity. Together, these two organizations prove a powerful truth:
When compassion and commerce move hand in hand, children everywhere move forward.
And at Monson-Sultana School, on a bright November morning, the future looked just a little more hopeful — one pair of shoes at a time.
Lisa Radoo is a Long Island native with Trinidadian Indo roots, a passion for gardening, and a love for cooking. When she’s not exploring new destinations or tasting her way through different cuisines, she’s sharing fresh takes on Food & Drink, Tourism, and Lifestyle for OMG Culture.
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