The shoeless flock to the street, banners held high and stickers in their soles.
With whoops and hollers they took to the streets. As people in their cars showed support or distaste by honking approvingly or disapprovingly, though it was difficult to discern the difference, they marched on, waving their signs in the air. In the face of adversity, they stood strong, focused, and united. And barefoot.
From 20th Street West and Avenue K to 10th Street West, just short of 50 Antelope Valley inhabitants gathered together on Tuesday April 5 at 5:30 p.m. under the umbrella of the worldwide TOMS Shoes event: “One Day Without Shoes.”
The organization, TOMS Shoes, founded by Blake Mycoskie, specializes in mobilizing efforts to bring shoes to children in countries stricken with diseases caused by volcanic properties in the soil. One of the most prevalent diseases contracted is a debilitating and disfiguring disease called podoconiosis, a form of elephantiasis. With proper footwear, this disease is 100 percent preventable. TOMS slogan, “One for One,” is a promise that for every pair of shoes bought, a pair will be given to a child in need
Once a year, TOMS Shoes and its supporters unite to spread awareness around the world with “One Day Without Shoes.” Last year, Helen Masferrer, Antelope Valley resident, heard about a group walking in Venice for the TOMS cause and prepared to join them. “But then I thought, you know, I want all my friends and family to be there so let me do something here in the AV!” With Masferrer’s vision, the AV Walk in 2010 hit the mark with nearly 100 attendees. But although the number of those walking this year was significantly less, the lack in walkers on April 5 2011 was made up for in spirit.
Students from schools all over the Antelope Valley joined in for the day’s event, putting aside school pride and uniting, not for a school mascot, but for the dignity of the human race.
Antelope Valley College student, Cynthia Johnson, has attended the TOMS AV Walk for the last two years and she says that the cause is very important to her. “We Americans take so much for granted every day. Everyone knows to wear their shoes [and] that it could be dangerous without them, and we have paved roads and sidewalks. I don’t think people realize that there are people that live in harsher [conditions] that don’t have shoes… and its hurting them.”
Others who attended included lead singer of local band Mae West, Brian Torsney, who joined the group sporting the latest fashion in footwear: the bare foot.
Through all of this, Johnson said that through the “One for One” promotion and “One Day Without Shoes”, “TOMS provides a way to help.” Mycoskie says going one day without the luxury of shoes is being “part of a movement that is helping provide new shoes for millions of children who need them.”
Many went home that Tuesday evening tired, feet sore and covered in blisters. Those who walked said they consider it a small price to pay and while it may seem like a small feat the impact of TOMS Shoes and “One Day Without Shoes” can be seen halfway across the world. When a child, feet covered in dirt and mud, opens a small brown box containing two small shoes, their life will be forever changed.
-by Courtney Unander
