19 Year-old Dashiel Alsup Walking Across America — Barefoot — for Shoe Charity Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity dedicated to providing free footwear to those in need, has many supporters working on its behalf. But perhaps none are so committed as 19 year-old Dashiel Alsup, of Canon City, Colorado. The young man, who goes by Dash, traveled to Ocean Shores in Washington State and began walking — completely barefoot — to raise awareness and funds for the footwear charity.

“It’s something I hadn’t heard of anyone doing,” he said, “and I wanted everyone to know about the good things that Soles4Souls is doing around the world. It kind of made sense to do it without shoes, and I thought it would catch the attention of people passing by and I could explain the charity’s goals,” he said.

Alsup has already walked 1,600 miles, through desolate stretches of the American West, through big cities and small towns, all along the way eager to talk with people curious about his mode of transportation. “It’s easy for people to catch on to what I’m doing,” Dash said. “When I explain that I’ve been walking this far without shoes, it really makes people stop and think. I’m proud of that, and I’m proud of the work Soles4Souls is doing,” he said.

The first week was the hardest, Dash said, because his feet hadn’t toughened up enough and the enormity of the task made him question whether he could complete his goal. But he walked on, encouraged by a few curious passersby who stopped to ask him if he needed shoes. Dash blogs about his travels when he’s able to find an internet connection: asinglepebble.blogspot.com.

Dash estimates that he will finish his barefoot trek sometime in late November or early December, and is aiming for the sandy shores of Florida as the finish line. He is nearing the Kansas state line and will pass through parts of Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia before he is finished.

Anyone interested in joining Dash for a portion of his barefoot trek across America can contact Soles4Souls at 866-521-SHOE or visit www.giveshoes.org.

Source: Soles4Souls Inc.

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