Tigers for TOMS changes name to One for One at Mizzou

The organization changed its name in order to be recognized at MU.

By Taylor Combs

Published Oct. 2, 2009

One for One at Mizzou, formerly Tigers for TOMS, held a fundraising event Thursday at Shakespeare's Pizza where 15 percent of purchases made with a TOMS Shoes flyer were donated to the organization.

Blake Mycoskie started TOMS Shoes in 2006. For every pair of shoes purchased, the company donates a pair of their canvas shoes to a child in need. One for One at Mizzou adopted the new name so the university would officially recognize the group.

"We couldn't be advocating a for-profit organization and we chose One for One at Mizzou because that is the TOMS mission," said Aleigh McKay, One for One at Mizzou member. "So (now) we could support other organizations, but our main passion is for TOMS."

Coordinator of Student Organizations Nickolas Evans said in an e-mail the group needed to change their name so it did not give the impression the university supports one brand of shoes over another. The group has started the application process, but the new name is not yet official.

"While the TOMS Shoes company may have a noble cause in giving shoes to those in need, they are still a commercial entity and we do not allow the co-mingling of a group's name with that of an outside business," Evans said.

There was also a worry that using the TOMS name would limit the scope of the organization, Evans said.

"Without a crystal ball, we have no way of knowing if another producer will develop a similar program," Evans said. "I'd hate for our students to potentially lose out on a great deal with another manufacturer simply because their group was named after TOMS and not something that would allow them to work with others."

The fundraising event held at Shakespeare's Pizza was to raise money for the organization's future events. Flyers were passed out around campus and via Facebook and e-mail. According to TOMS Campus Representative Brittany Heenan, the group's goal for the day was to raise $50.

"We just staple the receipt to the flyer and send it to our accountant," Shakespeare's Pizza manager Jessi Kelty said. "She tallies them up and sends the organization a check. It works out for us because it brings in business and it is for a good cause."

The organization plans on walking barefoot in the Homecoming parade in order to raise awareness about the TOMS Shoes mission, McKay said. According to the company's Web site, TOMS has given more than 140,000 pairs of shoes to children all over the world since 2006. Because walking is the primary form of transportation in developing countries, shoes are an important preventative measure against diseases transmitted by parasites in soil, the Web site stated.

TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie will be speaking at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 in Jesse Auditorium as part of a speaker series put on by the department of student activities.