Via Element Eden Advocate Amy Purdy’s Blog:

After a good two-day rest we packed the bus up early and headed four hours back through Durban to Umlazi for our next shoe drop at the Saphinda Primary School. As we walked into the school chills ran up our spines realizing we were walking into the middle of 1,000 singing school children. We stood in the center of the schoolyard with the children circled all around us. I don’t think I have ever felt goosebumps like that before; I was overwhelmed by emotion and love and had to wipe the tears from my cheeks. That day we fit hundreds of kids with their new TOMS shoes, we watched as they danced for us and at the end we were served an amazing lunch that was cooked by all of the teachers. This was a good day, I still am shocked I’m here, doing what we are doing. I’m so grateful to be a part of a company that has the resources to make a difference!

All summer long, TOMS + Element have been running a contest that will ultimately provide 2 individuals the opportunity to embark on a unique and inspiring adventure: the Shoe + Board Drop in Durban, South Africa. The contest, open to US residents 18+, requires entrants to submit an essay or video that expresses their desire to be part of the team that will travel to Durban in October. We are blown away at the plethora of amazing entries that keep rolling in!

To show our appreciation for the passion in these essays and videos, TOMS + Element are supporting mini-giveaways throughout the contest lifetime. Hilary, from Nashville, TN, captured us right from the first few sentences,

“When I think about responding to the question of why I would want to
be a part of a shoe drop I am challenged to express an answer that
illustrates my desire beyond the excitement of travel, interacting with
others, and the reward of experiencing the gift of helping someone. It is
undeniable that these motivations have been the starting place for many
adventures in my life. The desire to see the world from another perspective
and to strive to give what you are able is luckily not unique to me but I
believe a basic part of the human condition.” 

For writing an essay that expresses ideals that are beautifully in-line with TOMS + Element, we’ll be sending Hilary an awesome prize pack of TOMS + Element gear. Congrats, Hilary!

Submit your essay or video before July 26th and be automatically entered to win a customized pair of TOMS by Element artist Mike Kershnar. Winner for this prize pack will be announced July 27th (but keep in mind you still have until August 15th to enter the greater contest to win a spot on the Shoe + Board Drop!).

Visit http://www.elementskateboards.com/oneforone/sweeps to read more details and enter the TOMS + Element Shoe + Board Drop contest!