|
Paris resident set to give away shoes ...
By Stephanie Norman
The Paris News
Published August 3, 2009
Saving soles of a different kind is the sole purpose behind TOMS Shoes.
And Paris resident, Brandyn McNeal, is one of about a dozen volunteers from throughout the United States chosen to assist the company in an Argentina shoe drop scheduled in September.
In 2006, Blake Mycoskie, a Texas resident, decided to create a line of shoes, which are eco-friendly, after visiting Argentina and seeing countless children living without shoes.
For each pair of TOMS purchased, another pair is given to a child in need. This program, One-for-One, has been so successful that more than 140,000 pairs of shoes have been distributed to shoeless children as of now, and by the end of this year, Mycoskie plans on handing out more than 300,000 TOMS total.
McNeal talked with The Paris News about his involvement late this past week.
“I saw it through an AT&T commercial back in April and thought ‘Wow! That’s amazing,’” McNeal said.
Out of the thousands of applications for the volunteer position, he never thought he would be one of the lucky 12.
“It’s 12 volunteers and two other people that work for TOMS that are going with us,” McNeal said. “We’ve all connected through Facebook. They’re excited like me; I would leave today if I could.”
In the application, all applicants were warned of the cost; it’s not a free trip. McNeal said he needs $1,800 for the trip expenses.
“Each individual person that got chosen, from what I’m gathering, has a different unique ability or something — like I love photography,” McNeal said.
McNeal filled out his application as soon as he saw the commercial in April. Months had passed and he hadn’t thought much about it.
“I kept getting this call from California on my cell phone, but I don’t answer calls I don’t know. So, I’m at my mom’s house, I’m tired and lying down to take a nap, and I started checking my messages,” McNeal explained. “I’m going through deleting and finally this one comes up and it’s this lady that says, ‘Hey Brandyn, this is Gloria from TOMS,’ and right then, I just sat up and was like ‘Oh my…’ and she said, ‘I just called to tell you that you’ve been chosen to go to Argentina.’ I just freaked out!”
He is to fly out of Dallas Sept. 4, and lands after a 13-hour flight Sept. 5, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“When we get there, someone will meet us, then we’ll get accustomed to the place and meet everybody the first day,” McNeal said. “Then the next day, we jump on another plane and fly basically out in the jungle, and just go around to these villages.”
During the eight days, the group is to give out countless shoes most days, but they will also get to do some of their own exploring as well.
“They (most children in Argentina) have never worn shoes before, so they don’t know what size they wear,” McNeal said. “I have to size their feet and everything and put the shoes on them and make sure they fit. I’m gonna cry. I mean, how is it going to feel to put shoes on them? I’m gonna cry,” McNeal said with honesty. “As soon as that first kid comes up, I’ll ball; everybody will.”
“They’re organized; they have school and stuff like that, but a lot of times they can’t go to school because they don’t have shoes,” McNeal explained. “They don’t get an education and then they’re stuck there. Not only are you giving them a pair of shoes so they can walk without getting their feet messed up, but so they can go to school and have more opportunities.”
According to www.TOMSshoes.com, “The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites, which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.”
“The kids down there love to play soccer, but they don’t even have soccer balls usually, they just wrap up rocks and kick it with their feet,” McNeal said. “So I was going to see if anyone around here would donate some old soccer balls, and I’m going to send them down there so could give them those too.”
By buying one pair of shoes, someone else receives a gift. Most people don’t think about the value of things they have.
“I’ve got 15 pairs of shoes at home,” McNeal stated. “I’m sure all of us do. We just take things for granted. Those kids and those adults down there, they don’t take anything for granted.”
Every pair of TOMS shoes holds a meaning greater than the average shoe.
McNeal said he is eager to be a part of the TOMS shoe drop in Argentina because he realizes the sole purpose of Mycoskie’s shoe line; to help those in need.
Anyone interested in helping McNeal raise money for the trip, can visit http://friendsoftoms.kintera.org/argentina/brandynmcneal. All donations are tax deductible.
“This is something that I could tell my kids that I did, if I ever have kids, I just know this is going to be a good experience,” McNeal said. “Really and truly, the money doesn’t matter. I mean it would be great to have people help me go, but at the end of the day, I’m going no matter what. I hope it is life changing.”
Small Town Rags, located at 3 South Plaza, on the Plaza, is the only place within 75 miles that sells TOMS Shoes.
“Until you take a pair home, you haven’t done your part,” owner Angie Thurman quipped.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
 |
|
|
