TOMS 3rd Annual One Day Without Shoes

In an effort to bring attention to the impact a simple pair of shoes can have in a child’s life, TOMS Shoes is launching its third annual One Day Without Shoes campaign, which asks everyone worldwide to go barefoot on April 8th.

On April 8th communities and individuals will be spreading awareness about the importance of shoes in parts of the world where children’s feet are exposed to debilitating diseases. So many of the world’s children in developing countries grow up without shoes, having to walk miles to get food and water, medical help, and attend school (which often require shoes as uniform). A leading cause of disease in these areas is soil-based parasites.

Blake Mycoskie, TOMS Shoes’ founder and Chief Shoe Giver, says, “A shoe company asking people to go barefoot? I know it’s odd, but we are so excited for people to once again join us in One Day Without Shoes. We ask people to go the day, part of the day, or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience what millions of children endure every day. Awareness and empathy are the catalysts of change.”

One Day Without Shoes participants can pledge their commitment, join and organize events, and connect with likeminded participants online at OneDayWithoutShoes.com. The website will also provide an outlet for individuals to share their videos, photos, and experiences spending One Day Without Shoes. Every person who RSVPs for an event on OneDayWithoutShoes.com will have the option to be entered to win a spot on a TOMS Shoe Drop (some limitations apply). The winner will be announced on May 10th. One Day Without Shoes t-shirts will be available for purchase from Threadless at threadless.com/loves/tomsoneday starting March 22nd.

About TOMS Shoes:
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. To date, TOMS has given over 400,000 pairs of new shoes to children around the world through its giving partners.