Every single foot can benefit from a pair of shoes. There are plenty of shoe choices that help us accomplish daily activities or alleviate foot pains. Shoes are a necessity, but only some have the means to purchase them. Over 600 million people are currently in need of a pair of shoes. A lack of shoes puts the human foot at risk of injury. Shoes help protect us from falling objects, slipping and falling, help correct our posture, and protect our feet from the elements. The millions of people without shoes have some hope thanks to an organization that understands how important shoes are.
Today, March 15th, is National Shoe the World Day. Shoe the World Day was created to bring awareness to the need for shoes and encourages people to take action to help. Each year, this day is dedicated to providing shoes for people who cannot afford them. It also strives to show how everyone needs proper, quality shoes. Not just for the physical well-being of someone's feet or body but for their mental health too. Read on to find out how to help and learn more about Shoe The World Day.
What is Shoe The World Day
Shoe the World Day is an annual event on March fifteenth each year. It's a global effort to help anyone in need and provide them with necessities to increase their quality of life. It originated in 2014 when Donald Zsemonadi and the United Indigenous People in Fontana, California, initiated it for the first time. It has expanded each year as more organizations join the cause. Each one has the goal to ensure that everyone has access to proper footwear, no matter where they live or their financial circumstances.
Why is Shoe The World Day Important?
As mentioned before, footwear is essential for physical and mental health. Everyone deserves a good pair of shoes. For those desperately in need, shoes can help in feeling more dignified and confident. Furthermore, shoes need to be more than just footwear, but properly fitted footwear. Appropriate footwear does more than provide protection or prevent injury. They also fit correctly and are comfortable while you're wearing them.
For some, shoes can be expensive. When food or shelter is more important, people will skip purchasing shoes. A lack of shoes is especially prevalent in third-world countries where poverty is more widespread. Children, teens, and adults work and play daily with no shoes. They are at risk of infection, injury, and even death. Shoe the World Day helps bring attention to this global issue and provides ways to help.
How to Participate in Shoe The World Day
Anyone can participate in Shoe The World Day! There are a few different ways to get involved:
Donate Shoes
Every year on Shoe The World day, people take the time to donate shoes to those in need globally. This is the perfect occasion to learn how powerful giving can be and remind us how human we all are. Donating shoes may seem like such a little thing, but to those in need, it can be invaluable. When donating footwear, choose gently used shoes. Gently used is the best option for giving shoes because they should still be in good condition for their next owner. Children grow out of shoes quickly, and their footwear is often in the gently used category. You can also decide to donate new shoes.
Purchase Shoes
As we age, we don't grow out of shoes as often. It gets hard to find gently used shoes. If all your shoes are in bad shape, you can still donate shoes to those in need by purchasing new shoes. Some organizations that take donations will only accept new shoes. For instance, Our Hearts to Your Soles, an organization we work with, wants only new shoes. They based their reasoning on how it would make someone less fortunate feel when receiving shoes. At their events, those in need prefer the new shoes. "They do not want hand-me-downs or secondhand shoes, and understanding this, we at Our Hearts to Your Soles want to treat each person that we see with dignity and respect." This is an understandable point of view because used shoes have already conformed to the foot that wore them first. Our Hearts to Your Soles has its annual events during November and December. The holidays are another great time to donate shoes, especially in colder places. Whether gently used or new, it's still a big deal to gift shoes.
Volunteer
If you don't have shoes or money for shoes to donate, you can give your time instead. A quick Google search will provide a list of places to volunteer to help accept donations. Donation centers have an overwhelming amount of work. You'll find shelves filled with boxes of shoes, socks, and other items that line the walls. They often don't have enough volunteers to help take in, sort and give out all the shoes. Volunteering your time can make a difference in someone else's life by giving just a few hours of your day.
Where to Donate in Jacksonville Fl
Living in Jacksonville, Florida and want to help? Here’s a list of places around town to spend Shoe The World Day or any day you have time to donate.
New and gently used clothing along with our “Needs” items can be donated. Items can be purchased directly from CRM’s Amazon wishlist, providing you with a quick and convenient way to support the hungry, homeless, and addicted in our community.
Located at:426 S. McDuff Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254 The Salvation Army: https://satruck.org/
When you donate goods to The Salvation Army, those items are then sold at our Thrift Stores. And the proceeds are used to fund our Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where those struggling with drugs and alcohol find help, hope, and a second chance at life.
Location: 900 West Adams St. Jacksonville, FL, 32204
Trinity Rescue Mission: https://trinityrescue.org/
Items can be purchased and sent through Amazon or delivered in-person
Location: 622 West Union Street Jacksonville, FL 32202
Hubbard House: https://www.hubbardhouse.org/
Each year, hundreds of donors support Hubbard House through donations of food, personal items, and household goods.
Location: 6629 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Pickup Please: https://pickupplease.org/donate-in-jacksonville/
Think those shoes are out of style? Or maybe you bought them and can’t remember why you liked them? It’s time to make some room in your closet and get organized. Your used shoe donations can help support America’s veterans and their families. Pickup Please accepts new and gently used shoes of all styles, sizes, and genders on behalf of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Location: Schedule a pickup. Please put your donations in boxes or bags clearly marked VVA. A driver will pick up your items on the day that you select between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Shoe The World Day is an important event that helps bring awareness to how important it is to have access to proper footwear. Donating new or gently used shoes is a great way to help others who need them. It's also a great help to donate your time as well. Participating in the event is easy and can positively impact the lives of those in need. So, join the movement and help make a difference on Shoe The World Day!
Need a new pair of shoes after you've donated your old ones? Don't forget when buying two Oofos, you get one free!