Tigers for TOMS sheds shoes for good cause

TOMS provides shoes for children in developing countries.

By Kiki Schmitz

Published April 17, 2009

Students hit the campus barefoot Thursday afternoon as Tigers for TOMS and ONE Mizzou co-sponsored the TOMS One Day Without Shoes mile-long barefoot walk.

As is printed on the inside arch of each of their shoes, the TOMS shoes foundation runs on a one-for-one system. For each pair of TOMS shoes purchased, the organization will send another pair to a child in need. Forty percent of the world's population live and work without shoes, according to TOMS Shoes.

The need for proper footwear in developing countries is critical, said Megan Pieper, MU TOMS Shoes campus representative.

"People are dying from things that are completely preventable, simply because they don't have shoes," Pieper said.

Pieper explained the cyclical relationship between shoes and success, saying how children in developing countries cannot walk to school barefoot without risking cuts and ultimately disease. Without an education, Pieper said, these children don't get a chance to reach their potential.

Pieper said she was especially concerned with bringing the TOMS cause to light. On a college campus with more than 500 organizations, she said she finds it challenging at times to inform students of upcoming events and opportunities. Beyond that, Pieper said it can be difficult to relate to others in a situation very different than their own.

"I feel that college students aren't always aware that not everybody has shoes to go out in," Pieper said. "Shoes to go to the beach in, shoes to go jogging in, shoes to go jogging in when it's really muddy out so your other shoes to go jogging in stay clean. It's not that they don't care. They just don't know."

Junior Bryson King found out about the TOMS movement from "a friend of a friend" and spent Thursday -- classes included -- barefoot. King said he learned firsthand not everyone was in tune with TOMS.

"I got a few strange looks," he said. "And I heard someone say 'Why is that guy not wearing shoes?' So I told them I was raising awareness for children in need of shoes. It's a good cause, hopefully it's coming around more."

Students gathered at 4 p.m. on Carnahan Quadrangle, ditching flip-flops and shoes in a pile by Tiger Plaza to participate in barefoot-friendly activities. The activities included a cakewalk, raffle and craft table. The first group set off on a one-mile course sans shoes, walking a loop up Ninth Street and stretching back down Hitt Street to the fountain on Tiger Plaza. The walk took a little more than 20 minutes.

Sophomore Aleigh McKay said TOMS is different than many other aid organizations.

"You're having people actually go to that country, and place shoes on their feet," she said. "Most just send a check, or give only a portion of sales. This is literally shoes for shoes."

Pieper said she was pleased with the event turnout, which drew 104 students and volunteers. Tigers for TOMS is still relatively new, with the organization in its third semester on campus.

Colleges worldwide participated in barefoot walks, but Pieper said she was concerned about one school in particular: the University of Kansas.

"KU's walk is at the same time," Pieper said. "I really hope ours is bigger."