UNL Students and The Public Kick Off Barefoot March to the Capitol

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They walk several miles for food, water and medical attention. Many of them are children. They do it every day, and they do it barefoot. Without shoes, they risk infection and disease, but they have no choice. How would your life be different if you had no shoes?

Today, hundreds of UNL students and members of the Lincoln community will march barefoot from the City Campus Union to the Capitol building to participate in TOMS One Day Without Shoes event, a global event that helps raise awareness for the millions of people around the world in developing countries who aren’t fortunate enough to have shoes.

Nick Goodwin, a TOMS Shoes rep at UNL, explains how the footwear company operates:

“The business model is called ‘One for One.’ Essentially, for every pair of shoes sold, TOMS personally donates a pair of shoes to a child in a foreign country who would otherwise have no means to getting shoes.” 

Goodwin heard about TOMS when he was a freshman in 2007, just one year after the company was founded, and applied to become a rep for the company as soon as he realized there was a way for him to get involved while still being a student.

“I’m kind of a shoe freak anyways, so my buddy Tanner showed me the shoes and the story behind the company and how they’re using a product to help change the world. I was hooked. Everything about TOMS—-the business plan, the design, the concept—-it’s all pretty amazing to me.”

Last year was the first year UNL participated in the barefoot walk. Over one hundred students unlaced their shoes and took part, and Goodwin says they’re expecting even more participants this year.

Last year also marked the third consecutive year TOMS put on the event, which saw more than 250,000 people around the globe walk without shoes including notable celebrities like Demi Moore, the Jonas Brothers, Kristin Bell and members of the pop group Hanson.

For Goodwin, the best part about One Day Without Shoes is getting to know all the amazing people who take time out of their day to be a part of the event and help raise awareness for this global issue.

“It’s funny how many different ‘types’ of people end up showing up to things like this. I love hearing people’s stories and why they care enough to take off their shoes for a day when they’re gaining nothing, personally, out of it.” 

The event starts at 4:30 pm today (Tuesday), and participants will meet at the stairs on the north side of the student union. Immediately following the walk will be an after party at The Public/The Black Market at 10th and O Streets. Event goers can look forward to food, music, raffle prizes and 20% of TOMS Shoes, which are sold at The Public.

Millions of those less fortunate around the world are living in desolate poverty. They have no choice but to walk barefoot every day, which begs the question: Can you go one day without shoes?