Go Barefoot Day: How to observe in Central Florida

Orlando Sentinel (FL)

June 01--You've heard of the phrase "walk a mile in their shoes," but what if they didn't have shoes? National Go Barefoot Day is observed on June 1 and while walking barefoot on the beach may sound like a delightful way to spend your time, today really is about supporting a charity that provides millions of underprivileged children all around the world with shoes.

National Go Barefoot Day was created by Soles4Souls, which was founded as a disaster relief organization after philanthropists and shoe executives provided footwear to those most impacted by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Soles4Souls was officially formed as a non-profit in 2006 and the company continues to act as second wave responders providing footwear and clothing to those in need during times of disaster. More than 19 millions of pairs of shoes have been donated worldwide since 2005.

How can you help? Clean out your closet and donate a pair or two of gently used shoes. Soles4Souls is working with DSW, Brighton Shoes and others to provide locations for your shoe donations. Here are shoe drop-off locations in Central Florida:

* DSW -- Center of Winter Park, 501 N. Orlando Avenue Unit 203Winter Park

* DSW -- Millenia Center, 4021 Conroy Road, Orlando

* DSW -- Renaissance Center, 375 E. Altamonte Dr. Ste. 1200, Altamonte Springs

* DSW -- Loop West, 2571 West Osceola Parkway Suite A-3, Kissimmee

* Brighton -- The Mall at Millenia: 4200 Conroy Rd # J161, Orlando

* Brighton -- The Florida Mall: 8001 South Orange Blossom Trail, #1280B, Orlando

* Brighton -- Altamonte Mall: 451 East Altamonte Drive, #2145, Altamonte Springs

* USA Shoe Company, 5610 Edgewater Drive, Orlando

* Fletcher Law Firm, 3743 Savannah Loop, Oviedo

* Brightway Insurance, The Lublin Agency, 3548 South Orange Ave., Orlando

* Brightway Insurance, The Harding Agency, 1595 Meeting Pl., Orlando

* Brightway Insurance, 895 Fox Valley Dr. #109, Longwood

* Brightway Insurance, 1500 Alafaya Trl Suite 1012, Oviedo

* Brightway Insurance, 1196 Tree Swallow Drive Suite 1322, Winter Springs

* Brightway Insurance, 5030 West SR 46 Suite 1024, Sanford

* Brightway Insurance, The Sterner Agency, 1461 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., St Cloud

Zappos for Good will ship your shoe and clothing donation for free (for U.S. residents). Donate as many items as you'd like, up to 50 lbs per box. Click here for more information.

Here's more information from Soles4Souls.org on how to help today:

1. Pledge your Support: Register and join the thousands of others who live just one day without shoes, so children around the world don't have to.

2. Spread the Word: Get your network inspired beforehand to help raise awareness! Promote the event using the hashtags #Barefoot4them and #NationalGoBarefootDay.

3. Go #Barefoot4Them: Most importantly, commit to the challenge! Experience for yourself what it is like to live just one day without shoes.

If Go Barefoot Day isn't for you, today is also Doughnut Day, Hazelnut Cake Day, Heimlich Maneuver Day, Leave the Office Early Day, Nail Polish Day, Olive Day, Pen Pal Day and Say Something Nice Day.

SATURDAY: Bubba Day, Bubbly Day, Prairie Day, Rocky Road Day and Rotisserie Chicken Day.

SUNDAY: Cancer Survivor's Day, Chocolate Macaroon Day, Egg Day and Repeat Day.

COMING MONDAY: National SAFE Day!

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