‘One day without shoes’

Truman students participating in TOMS' "One Day Without Shoes" will face unusual conditions around campus  April 5.

The event was created to show people what the children who have never had shoes in developing countries have to endure, according to onedaywithoutshoes.com. The event is sponsored by TOMS' - a shoe company that donates a pair of shoes to a child with every pair is purchased.

"One Day Without shoes is the day we take off our shoes to raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child's life," according to the website.

Sophomore Megan Cain, West Campus Hall senate president, is organizing and participating in the event for the first time this year and said it already has had a profound influence on her.

"I want to try and give back in a sense by making people more aware of what these kids go through," she said. "I feel that if I can do that then I would feel accomplished."

Cain said the research she's done on TOMS has made her realize how much she takes wearing shoes for granted.

"The spirit and the perseverance that these children have is something that I wish I could cultivate in myself to appreciate more," she said. "And I feel like that kind of spirit that they have is something that I admire and wish I had more of in myself."

Allie Esperanza, West Campus senate adviser, said this day of raising awareness is a great way for students to step out of their daily routines and do something that really puts them in the "present moment." She said students are involved and therefore don't generally just go from just class to their room, but rather meetings and things to get themselves involved in-between, such as awareness-raising events like "One Day Without Shoes."

However, questions about minor safety and sanitary issues have come up.  

Brenda Higgins, director of the Student Health Center, said some concerns that come to mind immediately include scrapes or punctures from things on the ground that students won't notice until it's too late. Also, she said any moist environment encourages fungus such as Athlete's Foot.

"Personally, would I be frightened to walk-around for a day without shoes?" Higgins said. "No."

She said she hopes students are aware of any risks that they're taking and can determine if it's worthwhile on their own.

The problem related to cleanliness comes into play around meal times.

Maria Kaess, shift manager at Pagliai's, said they would love to support "One Day Without Shoes." Unfortunately, the "No shirt, no shoes, no service" policy isn't a guideline set-forth by individual restaurants, but rather a Missouri state regulation.

"Whether we want to or not, the health code that we follow doesn't allow the customers to enter our restaurant without shoes," she said. "However, we do have outside dining and we would love for people to come by and we'll set-up tables for them outside."

Kaess said participating students would have just as much access to food and drinks outside as they would with shoes inside.

Students interested in getting information regarding this event can attend an informational meeting at 7 p.m. on March 27 in the West Campus Multipurpose Room.

"The qualities that our students have in being able to overcome diversity and understand different situations will definitely help them to understand what it's like to be in these children's shoes, which will motivate them to participate," Cain said.