AT&T Helps TOMS Shoes Celebrate a Milestone of Giving as It Places Its One Millionth Pair of Shoes on a Child in Need

DALLAS, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TOMS Shoes is commemorating the giving of its one millionth pair of new shoes to a child in need this September, and AT&T* is inviting consumers to get in the spirit of giving with the chance to win a trip to participate in the millionth shoe drop in Argentina this fall.

In 2006, Dallas-native Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina, and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he founded TOMS Shoes, a company that has since matched every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One™. Four years later, with the help of giving supporters like AT&T and volunteers around the world, TOMS will return to the place where the idea for the company was born.

In an effort to engage consumers in this millionth-pair milestone, AT&T is announcing two ways to be a part of the action:

AT&T Sole Styler™

First, supporters can design their own virtual pair of TOMS Shoes at www.att.net/toms during the AT&T Sole Styler™ promotion between August 9 and 29. One Sole Styler winner and a guest will be selected at random to attend the one millionth shoe drop in Argentina.

Checking in with Gowalla

In addition, AT&T and TOMS Shoes are teaming up with Gowalla – a location-based mobile and web service – to spread the word about the TOMS Shoes one millionth pair shoe drop, and to allow users to interact with the latest mobile technology while registering for the chance to win prizes from AT&T.  

Between August 16 and 29, each time a Gowalla user – regardless of wireless provider – 'checks in' on their mobile device** at locations that fall under the apparel or technology category, he or she will have the chance to find a virtual item, win an instant prize and will be entered for the chance to win the grand prize trip to Argentina. Instant prizes include a pair of TOMS Shoes, AT&T smartphones and AT&T netbooks. One grand prize winner will be randomly selected from amongst all participants to win a trip to attend the one millionth shoe drop in Argentina in September with a guest.

"At AT&T, we are constantly striving to improve local communities. We are proud to be alongside TOMS Shoes, and look forward to engaging even more people in this important cause with these interactive programs," said Jason Simpson, executive director, AT&T Corporate Sponsorships.

"We are so thankful for the opportunity to celebrate this special moment in TOMS' history with supporters like AT&T, whose network has allowed me to stay connected to my business and create a better tomorrow for the kids we serve," said Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver. "I never dreamed we would arrive at this landmark so quickly, but this is just the beginning. We still have so much to do to ensure that we continue to give to children around the world in a responsible and sustainable way," he added.

According to TOMS Shoes, many children in developing countries grow up barefoot and are at risk for developing soil-transmitted diseases that penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, along with cuts and injuries. Oftentimes, children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. By providing them with footwear, TOMS Shoes gives these kids a chance at an education.

For more information about AT&T's support for the TOMS Shoes one millionth pair shoe drop, please visit www.att.net/toms. Information on TOMS Shoes is available at www.toms.com, and more on Gowalla can be found at www.gowalla.com.

* AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** No purchase or Gowalla account necessary to enter, play or win. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & DC, 18+. Void where prohibited. For alternate method of entry and Official Rules, send a self-address, stamped envelope for receipt by 11/30/10 to: AT&T Gowalla Rules, P.O. Box 13106, Bridgeport, CT 06673-3106.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine. 

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.