Buena Vista University Students Participate in "One Day Without Shoes"

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BVU students participating in “One Day Without Shoes”

STORM LAKE, IA (05/03/2017) (readMedia)-- Buena Vista University's (BVU) student organization Student MOVE (Mobilizing Outreach & Volunteer Efforts) hosted a barefoot walk on May 1 to raise global awareness for children's health and education.

The walk was inspired by the company TOMS Shoes' annual "One Day Without Shoes" event which will take place nationally on May 12 and encourages people to take off their shoes to raise global awareness for children's health and education. This was the seventh year that BVU students hosted the event as part of this national effort. Over 80 members of the BVU community pledged to go shoeless for the day.

"The weather wasn't perfect to go without shoes, but it really showed us how difficult it is to not have shoes," said Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, assistant dean for student life and director of civic engagement. "It's uncomfortable, it hurts and where you go is restricted. It's great to see so many students helping spread awareness of how this impacts people all over the globe in multiple ways. We have the privilege to put on our shoes when the event is over, but not everyone in the world has that capability."

Ambrea Mouw, a senior business major from Le Mars who helped organize the walk, added, "There are things that so many of us take for granted on an everyday basis that millions of people in the world are forced to live without, such as electricity and medical care. There are also many simple and basic things that might not even come to mind when thinking about how lucky we are to live where we do because we have never, ever had to do without them. Shoes are one of them."

Proceeds from the walk will go to Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. of Storm Lake.

About Buena Vista University

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all students. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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