Students step up in faith for Lent with shoe project

The cross of ashes smudged on foreheads to signify penitence is the most obvious sign that the 40-day Lenten season of prayer and fasting for Christians has begun.

At Tampa Catholic High School, there's another: a pair of classic black TOMS shoes with white soles.

On Ash Wednesday, hundreds of students came to school wearing the casual shoes made by the Santa Monica, Calif.-based company, whose motto is "One for One." For every pair purchased, the company pledges to donate a pair of shoes to a needy child.

In a rare break from the school's strict dress code, participating students can wear the slip-on TOMS — bought locally or online for about $45 — for the next six weeks.

Even principal Tom Reidy is taking part in the "Pay It Forward" project, led by the sophomore class. A group of students pooled their money and surprised him with a pair.

"It's the first time we've ever done anything like this," Reidy said. "I like how they were thinking outside the box. Once they got going on this, it was impossible to say no."

Theology teacher Tracy Zayas first learned about the TOMS philanthropic mission after her husband bought her a pair of the shoes at Christmas. The timing was right, she said, because students were in the midst of brainstorming ideas for a service project.

She contacted the company, which sent a video detailing its work in impoverished countries. Since its founding in 2006, TOMS has worked with charitable partners to provide more than 1 million pairs of shoes to needy children. In 2008, it also initiated the One Day Without Shoes project, which asks participants to go barefoot for a day to raise awareness about the impact of not having foot protection.

"They got all excited about this idea of helping with the shoes," she said. "And trust me, it takes a lot to ignite sophomores."

With an enrollment of about 700, Zayas said the goal is to get at least 400 involved in the project.

"That would mean at least 400 kids somewhere in this world will get a pair of shoes," she said. "I'm really proud of how our kids were so committed to making a difference."

Lent's traditional purpose is to prepare for Easter, the holiest day on the Christian calendar, and is observed by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and several Protestant denominations. Believers practice penance, charity and self-denial, using Lent to deepen their spiritual life.

Last year, Tampa Catholic sophomore Emily Woodbury, 16, gave up chocolate and soda for Lent. This time around, she wanted to do something that gave back.

"Knowing that I could help someone just by buying a pair of shoes made me feel like I was contributing something," she said. "I think Lent is a time to be thinking of others. This is a constant reminder."

Woodbury also took part in Tuesday's "One Day Without Shoes" initiative at the school. At a noontime Mardi Gras celebration, students donated their "slightly worn" footwear, then went barefoot the rest of the day as a physical reminder of how some children live around the world.

"I walked on hot concrete and cold floors. My feet got dirty and I had to be careful wherever I stepped," Woodbury said. "It made me realize what a privileged life I have."

They collected more than 600 pairs of shoes, which go to two local Catholic missions in the St. Petersburg diocese.

Watching her students step out in faith and embrace this project makes Zayas realize why she loves teaching.

"This is the best gift we can give them," she said. "Show them how they can do something meaningful, then see them take it and run. I can't do this for them. They're the ones making this happen."