Since 2006, Blake Mycoskie, founder and “Chief Shoe Giver” of TOMS Shoes, has worked toward giving one pair of shoes to a person in need for every person who purchases one of his original designs. According to the TOMS website, the company has a “one for one movement” which states that the customer is essentially buying two pairs of shoes – one for themselves, and one for someone less fortunate.

This year, ACU is hosting a two-day event beginning Monday, September 13, in which students can buy, design and donate a pair of TOMS to someone living in the U.S. who is without shoes.

“Normally, the Style Your Sole event is organized and run by the TOMS club on campus that is completely run by students. That is kind of TOMS’ method; that’s what they prefer. So its really up to the students, if they want to do it again,” said Amanda Pittman, Marketing Associate for the College of Business Administration.

In light of the event, ACU is offering white canvas TOMS, purchased through the school at a discounted price. The first 250 orders were half-off, but every order placed before Sept. 6 gets a 10 percent discount, totaling $40 instead of $44.

“It was really more of an incentive,” Pittman said.

Pittman said that ACU was able to offer select TOMS at a reduced price thanks in part to fundraising and donations made by friends of the university approached with the idea of helping students purchase shoes.

“We didn’t want the price to be a hindrance for students to come out and participate in this event,” Pittman said.

Mycoskie, who will be on campus Sept. 13, is known to be the most sought-after speaker on college campuses. While ACU has an active TOMS club that has organized Style Your Sole events for the past few years, the opportunity to hear Mycoskie speak may not come around again.

“Having Blake on campus won’t happen every year. We want to hear from other people and expand our horizons that way,” Pittman said.

“The response has been very inspiring as far as … social justice and doing something for another part of the world. I hope that continues.”