The lack of snow could not stop the Special Olympic snowshoe teams from Long Island and New York City. On Saturday, the snowshoe Special Olympic athletes competed in races held on the beach at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, NY. John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, and Andrew Oh, one of our Sock Wranglers competed in the snowshoe races.
Here's John getting ready to race.
John and Andrew joined the Huntington Blue Devil teammates for the snowshoe meet. Andrew raced in the 100 meter and 200 meter races and brought home two silver medals. John raced in the 50 meter and 100 meter races and he earned two bronze medals.
Here is Andrew racing:
John loved showing everyone his medals. “I love it. I raced so hard. I gave it all I had and kept pushing myself.”
John also had the honor of reciting the Special Olympics’ Athlete’s Oath as part of the Opening Ceremonies: Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.
This was the second regional Special Olympic snowshoe meet held on Long Island. In the past, that was not possible. The Huntington Blue Devils, led by then coach Lind Roth, became the first Long Island team to compete in snowshoe nearly ten years ago. To find a reginal meet, they needed to travel upstate to West Mountains. It was Coach Roth who first began training on the beach to make up for the lack of snow on Long Island. Over the years, others have followed so there were dozens of athletes competing in Saturday’s regional competition.
The Blue Devils start training in August to prepare for the competitions in February. Their training demonstrates the commitment and discipline that these athletes devote to the competition. No rest for the weary, as this week, John, Andrew and their teammates will travel to Syracuse, New York for the State Winter Games. Colleague and Sock Wranglers John Schneider will also travel to Syracuse to compete with this floor hockey team.
John’s Crazy Socks and the Special Olympics
John Cronin loves the Special Olympics. “I have been a Special Olympic athlete for 21 years,” said John. Not only does John compete in snowshoe, but he also plays soccer, basketball and competes in track and field. “And I do the Polar Plunge every year for the Special Olympics,” said John.
John's Mom gives him a hug after a race:
From the very beginning of John’s Crazy Socks, John and his father, Mark X. Cronin, have made giving back to the Special Olympics an important part of the John’s Crazy Socks experience. John said, “We donate five percent of our earnings to the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics is so important to me and I show my gratitude by donating money from our business to them.” Our customers know that when they buy from us, they support the Special Olympics.
John’s Crazy Socks Gives Back to 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.
John gets his bronze medal:
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 $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, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
