ODWS

On April 5, I will be going without shoes for One Day Without Shoes. It might be cold, it'll probably be uncomfortable, and my feet will certainly get dirty, but by doing so, I’ll help raise awareness of the impact a simple pair of shoes can bring to a child’s life. 

One Day Without Shoes is an annual event hosted by TOMS Shoes in which students, friends, parents, strangers, and co-workers host or participate in events without shoes. Some go without shoes for an hour, some for the whole day, but all become a part of a greater movement toward change. 

Did you know most children in developing countries grow up barefoot? Did you know some children walk without shoes for miles each day, and they can often not attend school without proper footwear? In Ethiopia, approximately 1 million people are suffering from a debilitating disease called podoconiosis, which is 100% preventable with basic hygiene and shoes.

Oklahoma State Senators Andrew Rice and Steve Russell joined us by declaring One Day Without Shoes a state-recognized holiday. In their suits and ties, they kicked off their shoes and inspired their fellow State senators to participate.

If you could change the lives of children with a simple gesture, would you do for one day what millions do everyday? 

This April 5, please lead by example by going barefoot, and help by spreading the word to be a part of One Day Without Shoes.