Mercyhurst students are known for their devotion to community service, and students partcipating in TOMS Mercyhurst Campus Club are no exception.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, students were invited to learn more about the One for One Movement and the TOMS Mercyhurst Campus Club in the Herrmann Student Union.

Two documentaries were shown featuring Blake Mycoskie, the founder of the TOMS Company and the One for One Movement. This company is avid about giving back to those in need.

Alex Stacey photo: A huge One for One banner was being signed with student’s footprints at Wednesday’s event.

The documentaries included stories about how the company got its start and the stories of other companies, such as the FEED charity and Falling Whistles, that are giving back to people around the world.
Focused mainly around shoes, the TOMS Company, in exchange for every pair of shoes purchased, will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One year ago this month, TOMS gave away its 1 millionth pair of shoes to an underprivileged child.

Mycoskie’s motto says, “Giving is what fuels us. Giving is our future.”

Many Mercyhurst students are inspired by this motto, so they created the TOMS Mercyhurst Campus Club.

President of the club Adrianne LaGruth is really excited about what the TOMS Company is about.

“TOMS stands for tomorrow,” said LaGruth. “We want to give money today so that it can be used for good tomorrow.”

Along with giving out free catalogs of products to interested students, the TOMS Mercyhurst Campus Club was selling t-shirts, making a banner for the One for One Movement and talking about Mycoskie’s new book that was recently released.

“Our mission is to raise awareness and work in conjunction with the TOMS Shoes organization in its One for One movement. This means to spread the word, host documentaries, educate students and of course engage them in charitable service,” LaGruth said.

LaGruth is looking forward to expanding the club on campus so that more charitable work can be done in the Erie area.

Alex Stacey photo: Students had the opportunity to buy t-shirts and other items to support the TOMS One to One Movement.

“We have ideas about expanding to incorporate other One for One ideas. I’d like to see the Mercyhurst students show their passion for our world and our community.”

The relatively new campus club was started three years ago and its popularity has increased since. LaGruth is hoping with the rush of new members that the club will be able to host a book drive or shoe drive for a local area in need sometime in the near future.

“Blake’s concept of giving doesn’t just apply to children in third world countries, it applies to the United States, in Erie and in our home towns.

“We can educate everyone, but it doesn’t make a difference unless we put our words into actions,” LaGruth said.
If you are interested in learning about TOMS, or would like to purchase Mycoskie’s new book, email the club at TOMSmercyhurst@gmail.com.