Miley Cyrus Goes Barefoot for Good

Miley Cyrus is going bare—foot that is. The actress/pop singer, along with Rachel Bilson and Cindy Crawford, left their stilettos at home in support of TOMS’ One Day Without Shoes challenge on April 10.

Millions of people worldwide don’t own a pair of shoes, leaving them at risk for injury, disease, and soil-transmitted infections. Globally, 740,000,000 people are affected by hookworm, which can cause intestinal pain, weakness, and cognitive impairment. Even more startling 1,890,000 Kenyan children suffer from jiggers, burrowing fleas that cause painful infection.

Founded by Blake Mycoskie, TOMS’ mission is to give shoes to communities in need. For every TOM shoe purchased, one is given to a child that has none. As of September 2010, the organization has donated over 1 million pairs of new shoes to young people worldwide.

One Day Without Shoes looks to raise awareness of the millions of children who grow up at risk without them, by having people go barefoot. Last year people took off their shoes at over 1,200 events in 25 different countries across the globe. The goal for this year: to make an even BIGGER impact.

“This movement is about raising awareness and asking people to do something – anything – without shoes,” says Mycoskie. "We are so eager to see the world's participation this year. So, do what you normally do – just without shoes and help start the conversation.”

What can you do?

• Take the barefoot challenge.
• Start an awareness campaign at your school about this.