On the tenth day of our 12 Days of Giving, John’s Crazy Socks is supporting the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS has been a charity partner since February 2017. For every order received on Saturday, December 10, 2022, we will donate $1 to the National Down Syndrome Society.
“NDSS is so important to me and all people with Down syndrome,” said John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks.” John is an entrepreneur and sock tycoon who also has Down syndrome. “NDSS stands up for the rights of people with Down syndrome.”
Mark X. Cronin, John’s father and co-founder, said, “NDSS has always played a special role for John’s Crazy Socks. Much of the advocacy work we are able to do happens because of the leadership provided by NDSS.”
In 2020, John joined the Board of the National Down Syndrome Society.
John’s Crazy Socks and the National Down Syndrome Society
In January 2017, John and Mark went looking for a Down syndrome-themed sock they could sell in their new online store. No one made one. John, who is a natural entrepreneur, suggested they make one and that gave birth to the Down Syndrome Awareness Socks. John designed these socks and they are the first Down syndrome-themed socks in the world.
In keeping with their principle of Giving Back, John and Mark called up the National Down Syndrome Society and said they wanted to donate money from the sale of those socks to NDSS. A friendship and deep collaboration grew from that first conversation.
John and Mark are Ambassadors for NDSS and serve on their Public Policy Advisory Board. John serves on the Board of Directors for NDSS. The father and son team have spoken at numerous NDSS events.
John’s Crazy Socks participates in many of the advocacy events sponsored by NDSS including the self-advocate day at the U.S. Capitol when they meet with members of Congress to advance the rights of people with Down syndrome. John and Mark have testified twice before Congress and both times they did so with the support of NDSS. John’s Crazy Socks is a member of the CEO Commission for Disability Employment that was co-founded by NDSS.
John’s Crazy Socks held an event to promote and educate people about ABLE Accounts and were joined by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. NDSS co-sponsored that event. In fact, NDSS was instrumental in getting the initial ABLE Account law passed.
In addition to donations from Down syndrome-themed products, John’s Crazy Socks has helped sponsor the NYC Buddy Walk and donates design a sock with John for auction at the annual NDSS Gala.
Down Syndrome Awareness Socks
Beginning with the first Down Syndrome Awareness Socks, John’s Crazy Socks has gone on to create a line of Down Syndrome Awareness products including many different socks, blankets and other items. These include John’s favorite the Down Syndrome Super Hero Socks, Buddy Walk Socks and a holiday Down Syndrome Super Box comprised of products made by companies led by or employing people with Down syndrome.
We donate money from the sale of those socks and products to the National Down Syndrome Society.
John’s Crazy Socks also sponsors a Buddy Walk Fundraising Program that helps local Buddy Walk organizers raise money.
12 Days of Giving at John’s Crazy Socks
For each day during the first 12 days of December 2022, John’s Crazy Socks highlights one of our charity partners and donates $1 from every order received that day to that charity partner. For Saturday, December 10, that charity partner is the National Down Syndrome Society.
John Cronin said, “We have a mission to spread happiness and our customers know that when they buy from us, they are spreading happiness.”
And the keys to happiness? John said, “It is doing for others and gratitude. And our 12 Days of Giving shows our gratitude for the work of our charity partners.”
Mark X. Cronin, John’s co-founder and father, said, “Our customers know when they buy from us, they will receive great socks with personalized service, but they also know they help us hire people with differing abilities, they help us give back and, most of all, they help us spread happiness.”
The 12 Days of Giving is part of the Giving Back program at John’s Crazy Socks which has raised over $550,000 for our charity partners.
About the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. Founded in 1979, NDSS supports and advocates for the Down syndrome community by focusing on three key areas of programming: Resources & Support, Policy & Advocacy, and Community Engagement. Within these focus areas NDSS engages in various activities, events, and programs on topics that are critical to our community such as federal and state advocacy and public policy, health and wellness, education, and employment. NDSS creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan and hosts awareness and engagement events throughout the country including the National Buddy Walk® Program, the Times Square Video presentation and New York City Buddy Walk®, Racing for 3.21 on World Down Syndrome Day, Run for 3.21, DC Golf Outing, the annual NDSS Gala & Auction, and various other events. Visitwww.ndss.org for more information about NDSS.
About the National Buddy Walk® Program
Since 1995, the National Buddy Walk Program has been the premier Down syndrome awareness, advocacy, and peer-to-peer fundraising program in the world. It was created by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for local and national incentives to support the Down syndrome community. Today, roughly 150 Buddy Walkevents take place in cities across the country and in select international locations. To learn more and find a Buddy Walknear you, visit www.buddywalk.org.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000 socks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $550,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
