Students walk on water for good cause

Jenny Rohl/The News Members and volunteers of the Women’s Center participate in “One Day without Shoes.”
Jenny Rohl/The News
Members and volunteers of the Women’s Center participate in “One Day without Shoes.”

They say not to judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. However, what do they say about those who do not have the luxury of owning a pair of shoes?

Each year in April, TOMS hosts “One Day Without Shoes” to raise awareness for children lacking shoes. According to the TOMS website, children who lack proper education and good health struggle to break out of the poverty cycle.

The Women’s Center supports TOMS’ “One Day Without Shoes” each year by organizing a one-mile walk across campus.

“We host this march because it is an easy and cool way to raise awareness,” said Abigail French, director of the Women’s Center.

However, due to the rainy weather, there were few attendees to participate in the walk Tuesday.

Though few students showed up to participate in the march, a handful of students still showed their support by going barefoot to class.

Kendall Swinney, graduate student from Louisville, Ky., said she braved the weather conditions because the cause is important to her.

“I think it is important to raise awareness,” Swinney said. “I?have been walking without shoes all day.”

Kathryne Miracle, sophomore from Standford, Ky., participated as well.

“The walk is a good opportunity to spread the word,” Miracle said. “I?volunteer because I want others to help raise awareness as well.”

Last year, the Women’s Center teamed up with the University Bookstore and supported a shoe drive as well. Though that was not a part of this year’s event, French said they plan to do something new next year.

“There are other barefoot events we could host, such as game nights or flag football,” French said. “We plan on expanding in the future.”

 

Story by Hunter Harrell,?Features Editor

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