NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Teen Hikes Barefoot Across Country For Charity

Teen Hikes Barefoot Across Country For Charity

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Hiking across the country is hard to imagine. 

How about doing it barefoot?

That's what a 19-year old is doing to help Nashville-based charity, Soles4Souls.

The teenager arrived in Music City Thursday and met with Wayne Elsey, Soles4Souls founder/chief executive officer.  

Dashiel Alsup's cross country trek is already helping those in need.

He started walking barefoot six months ago across the United States. He wants to raise awareness for the charity, which coordinates new and used shoe donations to those in need around the world.

"It's great to know that I'm helping people," he said. "It's a simple thing you know putting shoes on people's feet."

It may sound simple, but he has endured blisters, burns and scars during his trek.

Elsey was joined by students from Donaldson Christian Academy to thank the ambitious teen.

"It's think it's a good cause," said one teenager.

"It helps us appreciate our shoes," said another teenager.

Many of them ditched their shoes to hike nearly three miles trek to the Nashville Rescue Mission. They trekked past traffic, over curbs - pounding the pavement to feel a little of what Alsup feels.

"It was hard, but I did it," said one young person.

Donated shoes were given to the homeless. Other shoes collected will be sent to children around the globe.

There is a chance for others to help at Opry Mills Mall. The public can donate used and new shoes to a tower of shoes. The "tower" is located near entrance two at the mall. The tower will grow as more contributions are made through the end of the year.

After his Nashville stop Alsup plans to travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to reach 3,000 miles for Soles4Souls.