Students looking for unique footwear can design their own original shoes and help children in need tonight at the South Pole at the TOMS Style Your Sole event.

Since it was founded by Blake Mycoskie in 2006, Toms Shoes for Tomorrow or TOMS shoes has delivered 60,000 pairs of shoes to needy children in both Argentina and South Africa, according to a news release. This year it will be giving away 100,000 pairs of shoes to needy children in Ethiopia and even more to children in the United States.            

TOMS Style Your Sole events are being held at 45 universities all over the country this year, with college students and interns for TOMS coordinating the events. Kadi McDonald, a junior journalism major and intern at TOMS shoes, took on the task of bringing the cause to Ohio University.

Admission will be $5 at the door and  $40 for a pair of plain white canvas shoes, McDonald said.

Glitter, fabric paint and an assortment of other materials will be available to help attendees decorate their shoes to match their personal styles. For each pair of shoes purchased, TOMS will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need.

 “(Decorating is) all fun and no matter what they actually look like, it gets people’s attention, and it’s a fun way to explain to others about TOMS,” said Brett Dioguardi, a TOMS employee.

For those who are less confident in their artistic skills, pre-designed shoes from the TOMS line will be available for purchase both at the event and online.

For two weeks following the event, students will be able to use a code on the TOMS Web site to receive free shipping on merchandise.

The event also features performances by Adam Agin, Victor Rasgaitis and the Vice Versas, Arthur Killroad and Jesty Beatz, as well as free food and door prizes.

“You see people writing on their shoes all the time in class, so they might as well do it for a good cause,” said Melanie Barnes, a junior journalism major and co-organizer of the event.

“People spend way more than $40 on a pair of shoes, and they are cute too,” she said.