Blake Mycoskie came in third place in 'The Amazing Race II' in 2002. It goes without saying that a feat like that would have been more difficult, if not impossible, without shoes. But it was after this competition when he returned to Argentina (his favorite stop of the competition), that he was struck by the number of children without shoes.

He decided he would redesign a more durable, rubber-soled canvas shoe and for every pair sold, would donate a pair to those children in Argentina. Fifty thousand children now have shoes on their feet thanks to Blake. This year’s plan is to donate 30,000 more to Africa.

God Speed, Blake.