PRAIRIE | FRANKIE SANCHEZ
Many children across the world don’t have the money to purchase a new pair of shoes every time they have a bad day, or at any time for that matter, but Blake Mycoskie is making an effort to change that.
In 2006, Mycoskie founded a company based out of Santa Monica, California that was dedicated to stopping the spread of podoconiosis in areas where people can’t afford shoes. Podoconiosis is a condition commonly found in wet, volcanic highlands, which causes the legs to swell, cutting off circulation of lymph vessels. The legs of victims are no longer able to drain properly causing permanent inflammation and bacterial infection.
Mycoskie and volunteers decided that for every pair of shoes they could sell, they would donate one pair to a person in need. The company was originally created under the premise of “Tomorrow’s Shoes,” now shortened to TOMS.
Many universities, high schools and church groups around the nation, have created a TOMS Day, which gives participants a chance to purchase a pair of the shoes and decorate them. WT has now joined this tradition with their very own TOMS Day this year.
During a “Style Your Soles” party, students will be able to personalize their own canvas shoes while live music and games are happening.
However, before students can decorate their shoes and have fun, TOMS has asked them to recognize how they are helping people by going shoe-less for an entire day.
During “One Day Without Shoes,” on April 8, Student Government will have a foot painting party letting students proudly display their bare feet.
The actual shoe decorating will be happening the next day, Friday April 9. Student Government will have art supplies and tables set up on the west side of Old Main, directly in front of faculty parking, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
“We will have some art majors there for people who don’t want or know how to decorate their own shoes,” junior Rafeea Almas said.
PRAIRIE | FRANKIE SANCHEZ
For students that didn’t purchase TOMS, but still want to participate, Student Government is inviting students to bring a plain white t-shirt to decorate instead for the “Style Your Soles” party.
“We will also be handing out CDs, books and door prizes during the party,” Student Body Vice President Tim Vela said.
Shirts sporting the official TOMS logo purchased for the event coordinators will be available for purchase to the students during the party.
During the decorating, Five Floors Above will be performing and KWTS will be broadcasting live from the event.
“In the future, Student Government is going to try to host the ‘Style Your Soles’ party on ‘One Day Without Shoes,’ which is a national holiday,” Vela said.