One Day Without Shoes

Student Organization TOMS celebrated "One Day Without Shoes" on April 10, 2012 at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). "One Day Without Shoes" is a  nationwide known event that promotes awareness to help children in developing countries. TAMIU TOMS was originated at TAMIU by Andrew Velez, current president of the student organization.

TOMS is a movement that was started by Blake Mycoskie who seeks to help children in developing countries by providing them with basic necessities such as shoes. TAMIU Student, Andrew Velez adopted this movement and started the TAMIU TOMS organization in order to promote the TOMS mission within TAMIU and the local community.

"TAMIU is going without shoes so kids don't have to," stated the TAMIU TOMS organization slogan that promoted, "One Day Without shoes."  THe purpose of this event was  to raise awareness on the impact a pair of shoes can have in a child's life by going without shoes.  The event's primary mission was to make a statement about how there are millions of children without shoes, exposing these kids to diseases and injuries that could be prevented with a pair of shoes. 

The TAMIU TOMS student members designated a station in the TAMIU Student Center Patio where they took off their shoes and walked around to start the event. The organization members encouraged other students to take off their shoes and join their cause. To get the audience more affiliated with the event, the student organization encouraged the joining audience to leave their footprints on a banner that they created to honor "One Day Without Shoes." The organization also hosted  a parade that involved the participants to walk barefoot, hence giving them an opportunity to get a feel of how it is to walk without shoes.

The Bridge had the opportunity to converse with one of the TAMIU TOMS officers to get in-depth insights on the mission of the student organization. Community Service chair for TAMIU TOMS, Marissa Lopez explain how it is very important for the public to know about this cause. When asked about the mission of "One Day Without Shoes"Lopez stated, "Our goal was to let them know [the audience] that...walking without shoes is something that they rarely see, so when they did see us [the audience] they would say that they are fighting for their cause, so I want to fight for mine."

For the young student leader this event gave opportunity to the audience to learn and experience about the outcomes that children of underdeveloped countries have to go through. Lopez was a participant of the barefoot parade that extended from the TAMIU Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library all the way to the University Success Center. Lopez stated her reactions on taking part of this parade, "It was an eye opening experience because it was really hot that day and we did get burned...It just made us realize how fortunate we are and how blessed we are."

For more information on this event you can visit the officialTOMSwebsite and learn about their mission statement. You can also contact Andrew Velez at TAMIUTOMS@live.com or visit the organization'sFacebookpage.

(You may reach Neguif Angeles at neguif.angeles@dusty.tamiu.edu)