John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, strapped on his snowshoes and competed in the first ever Special Olympics Snowshoe Competition on Long Island. Given the lack of snow on Long Island, the athletes raced on the sand at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, NY.
Andrew Oh, a Sock Wrangler at John’s Crazy Socks also raced in the competition. John and Andrew are part of the Huntington Blue Devil team along with their teammates Liam and Ryan and led by Coach Linda Roth. The Blue Devils took home the gold in the 4 X 100 relay that capped the day’s competition.
Andrew Oh proved to be one of the fiercest competitors in the entire event. Andrew not only anchored the winning relay team, but also won gold medals in the 100 and 200 meter races. John took home a silver medal in his 100 meter race and a bronze in his 50 meter race.
John said, “I love snowshoe and I am glad they had this meet on Long Island. My teammates and I train hard and push ourselves in our races.” John added, “I like winning relay race the most because that is the race with my teammates.”
Diane Colonna, vice president of downstate regional operations for the Special Olympics in New York, told Newsday, these athletes “train on the sand anyway, so why not have a competition in the sand? They always travel upstate for their competition, but why should we do that, we can do it here.”
The Blue Devils were the first snowshoe team on Long Island and in past years travelled to West Mountain for a regional competition before competing in the New York State Special Olympics Winter Games. Coach Linda Roth devised the plan to train on the beach. Soon others followed and that is why eight years later, there were enough teams from Long Island and New York City to hold a local competition.
The Blue Devils start training in August to prepare for the competitions in January and February. Their training demonstrates the commitment and discipline that these athletes devote to the competition. They will next compete in the State Games in Syracuse on February 2022.
John’s Crazy Socks and the Special Olympics
John’s Crazy Socks donates 5 percent from the sale of its Sock of the Month Club to the Special Olympics. And they donate 10 percent from the sale of their Polar Plunge Socks and Shark Socks to the Special Olympics. John designed the Shark Socks in honor of his basketball and track team, the Commack Sharks. In addition, they donate 5 percent of their overall earnings to the Special Olympics. John’s Crazy Socks has donated over $105,000 to the Special Olympics.
John Cronin said, “I love the Special Olympics and donating this money makes me very happy.”
John’s Crazy Socks is a special 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. More than half their employees have a differing ability and five are Special Olympic athletes.
Mark X. Cronin said, “The Special Olympics is very important to John, our family and our business. John started playing Special Olympic soccer at age five and the organization has played an essential role in his development. Without the Special Olympics, there would be no John’s Crazy Socks.”
Giving back is baked into everything John’s Crazy Socks does. The company has donated over $475,000 for their charity partners that include the National Down Syndrome Society, the Autism Society of America, the American Cancer Society, the North Shore Animal League and United Cerebral Palsy.
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™. They do this by offering socks people can love that allows an expression of one’s true self… and by giving back, by creating jobs for people with differing abilities and by 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.
