Today the world took off their shoes to raise awareness for the staggering number of children across the globe who are contracting STDs. Soil-Transmitted Diseases, that is. These infections, such as Podoconiosis, intestinal worms and other parasites seep in through bare feet from volcanic and/or chemically contaminated soil. And all of these diseases are 100% preventable... with shoes. There are hundreds of millions of children that are simply too poor to afford shoes and have never owned a pair in their lives. Many kids must walk for miles each day to fetch water through rough or muddy terrain, barefoot. That's why TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need with every pair purchased. One for one.

And that's why we took to the West Village this morning, following model Anne V. to the international annual One Day Without Shoes Barefoot Walk. Curious press and vehement TOMS supporters alike marched along the Christopher Street Pier, toes to the world, picket signs raised in rally.

And it's happening all the way across the globe. Even in Norway where there's still snow on the ground! All over the country from LA to Dallas, to Chicago, to Newark, Delaware, people went on shoe-free walks and stayed barefoot all day long today. How does it raise awareness, you ask? Well, when one walks barefoot in the middle of... anywhere that's not a beach or a yoga studio, people wonder why. And then it's our job to tell them about the plight of the shoeless and what TOMS is doing to help.

"The more I talk to people about it, the more I hear the words come out of my mouth, the more I realize how really crazy it is that [lack of shoes] is such a huge problem. People know about TOMS, about One for One, but people don't really know the inside of the issue, and it's really great to educate people about it." - Anne V.

It's so easy to help a child get a pair of life-changing shoes. Just get yourself a pair! They're super comfortable, the perfect spring/summer casual shoe. Wear them on adventures, paint them yourself, get a pair that make you smile, because they're going to make a child smile wider than you can imagine.

We took our shoes off at FashionIndie. Did you?!