With hopes of traveling out of the country and participating in a shoe giveaway to children in need, a local high school senior is spreading the word about TOMS shoes’ “Ticket to Give” contest.
Callie Mae Bowen, 18, said she got involved with the contest because she supports the company’s message of giving.
TOMS is looking to provide a pair of brand new shoes for needy children in more than 50 countries through the world with each purchase by a customer.
The Woodstown High School senior owns three pairs of TOMS shoes and said she has always had an interest in the company.
“When they first announced the contest, I was probably looking at the next pair of shoes I wanted to buy,” Callie said.
As part of the contest, entrants submitted a categorized page and slogan explaining their interest in giving out TOMS shoes to those in need. As of Monday afternoon, Callie had more than 500 votes.
Her long-haired, 14-year-old, cat Foxy is her partner and supporter as part of her “Ticket to Give” contest slogan theme, “Paws to Think.” As part of her contest entry, Callie had to select a theme and write a 100-word essay about why it is important to go on the trip.
Pictured on her entry page is a photo of Foxy in a pair of TOMS shoes.
“I think there’s a lot of focus on what we have in our own country. You don’t hear as much about other volunteering in other countries. Some people are afraid to expand their horizons. They have a fear of the unknown — nobody should have to live with that fear,” Callie said.
The top 50 people with the highest amount of votes will be given the opportunity to travel to another country and participate in one of the “giving trips” where the donated shoes are handed over to a child.
According to Callie, she will not know what her destination could be until the trip approaches. However, some of the countries could be Argentina, Guatemala, or Paraguay, she said.
Callie said she be attending the University of Vermont, starting in August and added that she wants to be able to help change a life in addition to just starting college.
There are five different trips with 10 different winners for each giveaway trip.
“I know growing up in Woodstown, we are very sheltered and my classmates or peers don’t know what is always going on outside of Woodstown. I’ve always been able to know what’s out there in the world and want to help others,” Callie expressed.
Callie reflected on graduating from high school and said that this will be the time where she will be faced with challenges of defining who she is.
“We’re just on this journey to find out who we are and why not help others while trying to help yourselves,” she said about the importance of helping others.
While she has observed her name go up and down in the contest ratings, Callie said the entire experience has been humbling and a reminder that she has a lot of support from those who have voted to help her on this adventure.
“My own thoughts are about giving back. Buying a pair a shoes and having one donated is an awesome organization and is a way to pay for two but give a gift to another in need,” Callie said.
For the contest, applicants can only be voted for once by each individual and must be 18 or over. Applicants who are between 16 and 18 years old must have a parent with them on the trip.
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