NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY
Each year, National Shoe The World Day on March 15th shines a light on the value of good footwear for millions of people around the world.
#NationalShoeTheWorldDay
Each day, over 500 million children, teens, and adults do not have a pair of shoes to wear. Despite the terrain and the climate, they walk barefoot everywhere. Their daily struggle is one we cannot begin to imagine. Living daily without protection on your feet can lead to a lifetime of problems including pain, injury, cuts, sores, infections, parasites. Schools and businesses ban students and customers without shoes. We attach stigmas to people who do not have proper footwear, too. Life without footwear also affects their health, education, and financial well-being. One issue leads to another, creating a never-ending cycle.
There are a few who are fortunate enough to have one pair of shoes even though they are much too big for them. This way, their shoes will last for many years as they grow, and they are only allowed to be worn for special occasions. In other cases, they may have one pair of shoes that are too small and tight for them (they will make them work) but to have a pair at all is a luxury.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY
- Start a shoe drive at work, school, or in your community.
- Volunteer. There are 9 distribution centers in the United States.
- You can also volunteer in your own community to help those who need footwear locally.
- Create a fundraiser.
- Visit Soles4Souls to donate shoes.
- Use #NationalShoeTheWorldDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL SHOE THE WORLD DAY HISTORY
Donald Zsemonadi and the United Indigenous People in Fontana, California inspired National Shoe the World Day in March of 2014.
The Registrar at National Day Calendar declared the observance to be March 15th, annually.
Shoes FAQ
Q. How do shoes protect our feet?
A. Shoes protect our feet in several ways. First, they protect the bottoms of our feet from sharp or jagged objects and infections. They also protect our feet from the elements keeping them warm, dry, and out of the sun. Finally, shoes provide support and absorbed impact as we walk and run.
Q. Are both feet always the same size?
A. Often, our feet are different sizes. While the difference may be small, one foot will often be slightly larger than the other.