Inspired by TOMS, Brandywine campus promotes social responsiblity Friday, October 12, 2012 What do shoes have to do with social responsibility? Penn State Brandywine is about to find out. On Oct. 25, the campus is asking Penn Staters to help kick off its Common Read program, which annually encourages the campus community to come together to read one book and then share and discuss its philosophies. This year’s book is “Start Something That Matters,” by TOMS Shoes Founder Blake Mycoskie for every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, one pair is given to a child in need somewhere in the world. To launch the yearlong series of events, the campus will host The Paired Shoe Brigade, a shoe drive with a twist. Pairs of shoes will be collected from Oct. 25 through Nov. 29 -- a single shoe won't be accepted -- to be donated to TerraCycle Inc., the world’s leading upcycling company, which converts difficult-to-recycle waste materials into eco-friendly, affordable products available at major retailers. “Our goal is to eliminate the idea of waste by creating collection and solution systems for anything that today must be sent to a landfill,” reads the company’s website. Pairs of women’s, men’s and children’s shoes, including athletic sneakers, cleats, flats, high heels, dress shoes, boots and fashion or casual sneakers will be accepted. Ski boots, rollerskates, rollerblades, ice skates, completely broken or ruined footwear, single shoes, rubber flip-flops, slippers or any shoe that has a hole the size of a pen or bigger. The kick-off will also feature a presentation by Professor of Management Veronica Godshalk titled “Are all Entrepreneurs Social Entrepreneurs? Factors that Determine the Difference” at 11:30 a.m. in the Tomezsko Classroom Building, Room 103, followed by light refreshments in the lounge. This Common Read interactive conversation about “Start Something that Matters” will focus on traits and behaviors of entrepreneurs and how they differ (or not) from social entrepreneurs. On Nov. 29, Albe Zakes, the 27-year-old global vice president of media relations at TerraCycle, will speak to the campus. More information about his talk will be released shortly.