Blake Mycoskie on a shoe drop.
Inspiration can strike at any time. For Blake Mycoskie — third place finisher on the second season of the Amazing Race — inspiration struck while vacationing in Argentina. Inspired by the local alpargata or espadrilles style of canvas shoe traditionally worn by farmers, Mycoskie went on to found TOMS Shoes to provide shoes for impoverished children.
The premise? One pair of shoes donated for every pair purchased. One for one.
The shoes are great — comfortable, breathable, light and stylish; I own three pairs. The concept is equally fantastic. For $44, you get a pair of shoes and the piece of mind that your purchase is also funding a pair of shoes for an impoverished child.
TOMS continues to expand and update not only their shoes and styles, but their reach and scope of the shoe drops.
And we think they’re doing amazing things.
April 8: One Day Without Shoes
Why is Kristen Bell sitting in a tree without shoes? Is it because she loves trees? Is it because she is a closet-hippie? Maybe she has sweaty feet and needs to air the tootsies out? Maybe something evil scared her up into that tree, made her put on a plaid shirt and stole her shoes?! Anyways back to the REAL reason behind why Kristen Bell is sitting in a tree without shoes. Could it be that she is supporting an annual event where everybody is encouraged to go shoeless for an entire day to show their support for children with Podoconiosis?
Ding ding ding ding! That is the correct answer. Kristen bell is not wearing shoes because she is supporting TOMS Shoes, One Day Without Shoes.
So now you have two options as to how One Day Without Shoes works. You can either watch Kristen Bell sit in her tree and explain the shoeless holiday or you can continue reading (or just think about the name, One Day without Shoes, come on…)?
Okay for those of you still with us – let’s talk about One Day Without Shoes. This annual event started only 2 years ago by progressive shoe company, TOMS Shoes.
Here’s how it works:
Wake up.
It’s the morning of April 8. Brush your teeth, put on your clothes, eat some breakfast, pack your bag, and continue on with your day as usual. Here’s the simple catch, you don’t put shoes on.
That’s right — you walk around the entire day without shoes. Suddenly having images of Britney Spears walking out of a gas station bathroom barefoot flash through your head?! Well, I agree that’s gross, and maybe walking around without shoes for a day seems gross. But it’s for a good cause.
By participating in One Day Without Shoes you are helping raise awareness of a horrific disease in developing countries called Podoconiosis. The disease is a soil-transmitted disease that causes Elephantiasis-like symptoms in your feet, ankles, and legs. The symptoms can become so severe that children cannot go to school, adults cannot take care of their families, in other words, people practically become immobile. And guess what, this disease is 100% preventable just by wearing shoes. That’s it: Wearing shoes prevents Podoconiosis.
So, are you in for going shoeless this Wednesday? Yes you will get blisters, yes you will get scratches, yes your feet will be black, yes your feet will become numb, and much more. Think about it this way, thousands of adults and children do this everyday and because of it suffer from a 100% preventable disease.
Don’t lace up those Converse, don’t pull on those boots, just don’t wear shoes. Simple.
Visit http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com to learn more.
Disclaimer: We still do not know why Kristen Bell is sitting in a tree.