This past weekend, John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks and his friend and John’s Crazy Socks colleague, Andrew Oh, travelled to Ithaca, New York to compete in the New York Special Olympics 2023 Summer State Games. Over 800 athletes, coaches and volunteers made these games a success that created memories for a lifetime.
“I was so happy I got to compete in the State Games again this year,” said John Cronin. “We train all spring and this caps off a great track and field season.”
The Weekend Events and Competition
The weekend kicked off with the opening ceremony on Friday night with Kalya McKeon, a friend of John’s from the National Down Syndrome Society, serving as the Master of Ceremonies.
Saturday morning, the athletes spread across the Ithaca region for their competition. John and Andrew headed to Ithaca High School for the track and field events. John competed in the Turbo Javelin Throw, the 100 meter and the 4x100 Relay. Andrew used his speed to bring home gold medals in the 100 meter and the 4 X 100 relay and he earned a bronze medal in the 200 meters.
After a hard day of competition, the athletes gathered for a closing dinner and dance, always a favorite.
“I never miss the dance,” said John, “It is a great way to end the weekend.”
Promoting Independence
One of the many benefits of the Special Olympics comes in the way they promote independence for the athletes. John and Andrew joined their fellow athletes from Long Island for a bus ride on Friday. No parents, no support staff, the bus only carried athletes and their coaches. Once they arrived in Ithaca, Andrew and John checked into their dorm room at Ithaca College demonstrating their ability to take care of themselves.
Having competed in the Special Olympics for many years – John started at age five – the ability to develop social and living skills helps prepare athletes like John and Andrew for jobs and independent living.
John’s Crazy Socks and the Special Olympics
From the day they opened John’s Crazy Socks, John and his co-founder and father, Mark X. Cronin, have made giving back to the Special Olympics an important part of the John’s Crazy Socks experience. Our customers know that when they buy from us, they support the Special Olympics.
At John’s Crazy Socks, we have a mission to spread happiness. John says the keys to happiness are gratitude and doing for others. Thus, our Giving Back Program is an essential part of our mission. Supporting the Special Olympics is especially important to us. In fact, John’s Crazy Socks has donated over $130,000 to Special Olympics New York.
We start by donating 5 percent of our earnings to the Special Olympics. John’s Crazy Socks donates 5 percent from the sale of our Sock of the Month Club to the Special Olympics. And we donate 10 percent from the sale of our Polar Plunge Socks and Shark Socks to the Special Olympics. John designed Shark Socks in honor of his basketball and track team, the Commack Sharks.
John’s Crazy Socks is a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. Started by John Cronin and his father, Mark X. Cronin, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. Every day, they show what people with differing abilities can accomplish.
About Special Olympics New York
Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 51,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with about 250 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families, or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.com, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.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 $600,000 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, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
