Student group prepares to bare feet to spread awareness

If it smells funky around campus, it’s because IU students are making a statement — by not wearing shoes.

On Thursday, IU students, along with thousands across the globe, will be bearing their bare feet around campus for TOMS Shoes “One Day Without Shoes” event.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, all barefoot participants are to meet at the Sample Gates to go on a barefoot stroll around campus.

TOMS Shoes is a brand that uses a “One for One” business model: with every pair of shoes purchased, one pair of shoes is given to a child in need.

The premise around “One Day Without Shoes” is for someone to experience first-hand what it is like to have to walk around barefoot — whether the participant chooses to go barefoot for a full 24 hours, part of the day or just a couple of minutes is up to them.

In developed countries, people are used to having access to shoes, but in developing nations, many children grow up barefoot, which puts them at a high-risk for soil transmitted diseases and cuts and sores.

Not only does going barefoot hurt their feet, but many times, children in Third-World countries do not have access to an education because shoes are a required part of their school uniform.

Senior Erica Schori and junior Emily Nicholls were inspired by TOMS Shoes’ mission and decided to form a TOMS Shoes club at IU in the fall of 2009.

Schori, a shoe-enthusiast and apparel merchandising major receiving a minor in marketing, found TOMS Shoes business model inspirational since the company’s mission is not just about making money.

“It was a company I believed in,” Schori said.

This is the first time Schori is participating in “One Day Without Shoes” and she said she is both nervous and excited.

“I want to see how an entire day without shoes will be like,” Schori said. “I haven’t done this since I was 7, running around in the summertime.”

Schori said other IU students should get involved in “One Day Without Shoes” to step out of the easy-to-fall-into college bubble.

“It’s a good way to remember that yes, I’m in college, but yes I can still make a difference and there are people that need my help,” Schori said.

­— Alyssa Goldman