F.A.Q.

What’s the date this year?
One Day Without Shoes is on April 10, 2012

How to register an event (and get more ideas on what to do next)?
Go to OneDayWithoutShoes.com and click on the EVENTS tab.  And for ideas to promote your event, click on the TOOLKIT tab for creative DIY ways to spread the word. 

Need more info on specific events (exact start location and time)?
Go to OneDayWithoutShoes.com and click on the EVENTS tab, then ‘find an event’.  Enter your zip code and all the registered events in your area should show up, click on one for details.  If there aren’t any yet, register to host your own and easily invite friends and coworkers. 

Are there places that it is culturally common to not wear shoes?
Yes, there are some places in the world where going barefoot is widely accepted. But when children are affected by disease and illness, or unable to attend school due to inadequate footwear, it is not about a cultural preference, but about the need for protection.  One Day Without Shoes is about raising awareness for the children that are at risk of disease, infection and injury by going without shoes. 

How can I get involved beyond One Day Without Shoes?
We are so excited that you are interested in doing more!  There are many barriers to children’s health and education. We encourage you to find a solution you are passionate about supporting, such as education, clean water, agriculture, microfinance, health or child labor.  There are lots of organizations working to improve children’s health and education worldwide that need support. Need a place to start?  Check out TOMS Giving Partners.  We are working on getting a list online.  Until then, please check out the TOMS blog at www.toms.com/blog/giving to see some of them.  Thank you!

Who gives TOMS Shoes to children in need?
TOMS Shoes are given through a network of humanitarian organizations, called Giving Partners, that serve impoverished communities worldwide.  Each organization provides TOMS Shoes to children in need along with their pre-existing health, education, and community development programs.  We are working on getting a list of our Shoe Giving Partners online.  Until then, you can see some of them at www.toms.com/blog/giving.

Where do I send a TOMS donation?  Can we do something another day if April 10^th doesn’t work for us?
We are honored that you would like to donate money to help children in need!  Because TOMS is a for-profit business (with a social mission) we are not able to accept donations. We encourage you to send the donation to an organization working to improve children’s health and education.

If you are interested in supporting TOMS Giving Partners’ larger health and education programs, please go to our blog at www.toms.com/blog/giving to see some of the organizations we work with.  Please keep in mind funds will not be used to give shoes.  TOMS covers the cost of giving new shoes to children in need.  And thank you for your support!

Why would a shoe company sponsor an event to not wear shoes?
Yea it sounds a little weird, but children who are at risk due to inadequate footwear is the problem we set out to solve when starting TOMS, so raising awareness is the first step.

Where can I learn more? Go to OneDayWithoutShoes.com and check out the ‘Learn More’ tab.