A Day Without Shoes

Many Eastwood students participated in this event as well. Students such as Brian Monk and James Van Horne give their perspectives on the reason behind the day and the the TOMS movement overall. Brian is a junior here at Eastwood High School and was among the many that participated in the One Day Without Shoes event. When asked his personal motivation for walking around among his peers all day with no shoes, he replied, “One Day Without Shoes is not a day to promote the TOMS shoes but rather to promote awareness of a serious problem that many children face throughout the world.” Although others share the same thought as Brian, there is another idea to think about. Senior James Van Horne is not a TOMS believer and he explains why. “I think it’s fine but..the whole corporate backing and the entire movement is capitalizing on the problem that is going on in third world countries. If it were non-profit I would support it fully. It just seems to me that the TOMS company is making money off of people suffering” It was for this reason that James decided not to walk barefoot through the halls of Eastwood High School. 

Overall, whether one decides to wear the shoes, not wear the shoes, love TOMS or not support TOMS, the problem remains. The growing problem of poverty, hunger, and yes, children left to remain barefoot everywhere they walk. There are many movements that began long before TOMS and others that will begin. Don’t wait for another crisis to begin to start helping. Somewhere around the world someone is in need.